Region: Sicilia
History: Established as a DOC in 1996
Principal White Grape Varieties: Ansonica, Catarratto, Chardonnay, Grecanico Dorato, Grillo, Pinot Bianco, Sauvignon Blanc
Principal Red Grape Varieties: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Nerello Mascalese, Nero d’Avola (Calabrese), Perricone, Pinot Nero, Sangiovese, Syrah
Styles and Wine Composition:
WHITE WINES
- Bianco (Wh): Minimum 50% Ansonica (locally Insolia), Catarratto, and/or Grecanico + OAG
- Ansonica or Insolia (Wh): Minimum 85% Ansonica + OAG
- Catarratto (Wh): Minimum 85% Catarratto + OAG
- Chardonnay (Wh): Minimum 85% Chardonnay + OAG
- Grecanico (Wh): Minimum 85% Grecanico Dorato + OAG
- Grillo (Wh): Minimum 85% Grillo + OAG
- Pinot Bianco (Wh): Minimum 85% Pinot Bianco + OAG
- Sauvignon (Wh): Minimum 85% Sauvignon Blanc + OAG
ROSATO WINES
- Rosato (Ro): Minimum 50% Nerello Mascalese + OAG
RED WINES
- Rosso (Rd): Minimum 50% Nerello Mascalese and/or Perricone + OAG
- Cabernet Sauvignon (Rd): Minimum 85% Cabernet Sauvignon + OAG
- Merlot (Rd): Minimum 85% Merlot + OAG
- Nerello Mascalese (Rd): Minimum 85% Nerello Mascalese + OAG
- Nero d’Avola or Calabrese (Rd): Minimum 85% Nero d’Avola (aka Calabrese) + OAG
- Perricone (Rd): Minimum 85% Perricone + OAG
- Pinot Nero (Rd): Minimum 85% Pinot Nero + OAG
- Sangiovese (Rd): Minimum 85% Sangiovese + OAG
- Syrah (Rd): Minimum 85% Syrah + OAG
- Novello (Rosso, red varietals)
- Riserva (Rosso, red varietals except Nerello Mascalese)
SPARKLING WINES
- Spumante (WhSp, RoSp): Same as Bianco, any white varietal, or Rosato
DESSERT AND SPECIALTY WINES
- Vendemmia Tardiva (Wh, WhSw): Same as Bianco or any of the white varietals
- Dolce (WhSw): Same as Bianco or any of the white varietals
- Dolce Vendemmia Tardiva (WhSw): Same as Bianco or any of the white varietals
Significant Production Rules:
- Minimum vineyard elevation: 300 m (985 ft)
- Grapes for Vendemmia Tardiva must be left to dry on the vine until at least October 1
- Spumante wines may undergo second fermentation either in bottles or in autoclaves
- Minimum alcohol level: 5.5% for Dolce (11.0% potential); 5.5% for Dolce Vendemmia Tardiva (18.0% potential); 10.5% for Bianco, white varietals, and Rosato; 11.0% for Rosso, red varietals, and Novello; 11.5% for Spumante; 12.0% for Riserva
- Residual sugar: Minimum 50 g/l (5.0%) for Dolce; minimum 150 g/l (15.0%) for Dolce Vendemmia Tardiva
- Aging: For Vendemmia Tardiva, minimum 18 months, including 6 months in barrel (ERD = May 1, V+2); for Riserva, minimum 2 years (ERD = November 1, V+2)
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