Alcamo DOC

Region: Sicilia

History: Established as a DOC in 1972
Principal White Grape Varieties: Ansonica, Catarratto, Chardonnay, Grecanico Dorato, Grillo, Müller-Thurgau, Sauvignon Blanc
Principal Red Grape Varieties: Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Frappato, Merlot, Nerello Mascalese, Nero d’Avola (Calabrese), Perricone, Sangiovese, Syrah
Styles and Wine Composition: 

WHITE WINES

• Bianco (Wh): Minimum 60% Catarratto; maximum 40% Ansonica, Chardonnay, Grecanico, Grillo, Müller-Thurgau, and/or Sauvignon Blanc; maximum 20% OAG
• Bianco from the Classico subzone only (Wh): Minimum 80% Catarratto + OAG
• Ansonica (Wh): Minimum 85% Ansonica + OAG
• Catarratto (Wh): Minimum 85% Catarratto + OAG
• Chardonnay (Wh): Minimum 85% Chardonnay + OAG
• Grecanico (Wh): Minimum 85% Grecanico + OAG
• Grillo (Wh): Minimum 85% Grillo + OAG
• Müller-Thurgau (Wh): Minimum 85% Müller-Thurgau + OAG
• Sauvignon (Wh): Minimum 85% Sauvignon Blanc + OAG

ROSATO WINES

• Rosato (Ro): Any proportions of Cabernet Sauvignon, Frappato, Merlot, Nerello Mascalese, Nero d’Avola, Perricone, Sangiovese, and/or Syrah

RED WINES

• Rosso (Rd): Minimum 60% Nero d’Avola; maximum 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, Frappato, Merlot, Perricone, Sangiovese, and/or Syrah; maximum 10% OAG
• Cabernet Sauvignon (Rd): Minimum 85% Cabernet Sauvignon + OAG
• Calabrese or Nero d’Avola (Rd): Minimum 85% Nero d’Avola (aka Calabrese) + OAG
• Merlot (Rd): Minimum 85% Merlot + OAG
• Syrah (Rd): Minimum 85% Syrah + OAG
• Novello (Rosso)
• Riserva (Rosso)

SPARKLING WINES

• Spumante (WhSp): Minimum 60% Catarratto; maximum 40% Ansonica, Chardonnay, Grecanico, Grillo, Müller-Thurgau, and/or Sauvignon Blanc; maximum 20% OAG
• Rosato Spumante (RoSp): Any proportions of Cabernet Sauvignon, Frappato, Merlot, Nerello Mascalese, Nero d’Avola, Perricone, Sangiovese, and/or Syrah

DESSERT AND SPECIALTY WINES

• Vendemmia Tardiva (Wh, WhSw): Minimum 60% Catarratto; maximum 40% Ansonica, Chardonnay, Grecanico, Grillo, Müller-Thurgau, and/or Sauvignon Blanc; maximum 20% OAG

Subzone:

• Classico, the historic production area

Significant Production Rules: 

• For Vendemmia Tardiva, grapes cannot be harvested until after September 15
• Spumante wines may undergo second fermentation either in bottles or in autoclaves
• Minimum alcohol level: 11.0% for Bianco, Ansonica, Müller-Thurgau, Rosato, Novello, Spumante, and Rosato Spumante; 11.0% for Vendemmia Tardiva (14.0% potential); 11.5% for Classico, Catarratto, Chardonnay, Grecanico, Grillo, Sauvignon Blanc, Rosso, and red varietals; 12.0% for Riserva
• Residual sugar: Spumante and Rosato Spumante can range from brut to demisec
• Aging: For Riserva, minimum 2 years, including 6 months in barrel (ERD = December 1, V+2)