Region: Sicilia
History: Established as a DOC in 1968
Principal White Grape Varieties: Carricante
Principal Red Grape Varieties: Nerello Mascalese
Styles and Wine Composition:
WHITE WINES
- Bianco (Wh): Minimum 60% Carricante; maximum 40% Catarratto; maximum 15% Trebbiano, Minella Bianca, and/or OANWG
- Superiore (Wh): Minimum 80% Carricante; maximum 20% Trebbiano, Minella Bianca, and/or OANWG
ROSATO WINES
- Rosato (Ro): Minimum 80% Nerello Mascalese, maximum 20% Nerello Cappuccio; maximum 10% OANWG
RED WINES
- Rosso (Rd): Minimum 80% Nerello Mascalese, maximum 20% Nerello Cappuccio; maximum 10% OANWG
- Riserva (Rosso)
SPARKLING WINES
- Spumante (WhSp, RoSp): Minimum 60% Nerello Mascalese + OAG
Subzone:
- Superiore can be produced only in the commune of Milo
Significant Production Rules:
- Spumante must undergo second fermentation in bottles
- Minimum alcohol level: 11.0% for Spumante; 11.5% for Bianco; 12.0% for Superiore; 12.5% for Rosato and Rosso; 13.0% for Riserva
- Residual sugar: Spumante may be brut or extra dry
- Aging: For nonvintage Spumante, minimum 18 months on the lees (ERD approx. April 1, V+2); for Riserva, minimum 4 years, including 12 months in barrel (ERD = November 1, V+4)
