Region: Sicilia
History: Established as a DOC in 1995
Principal White Grape Varieties: Ansonica, Catarratto, Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc, Damaschino, Fiano, Grecanico Dorato, Grillo, Pinot Grigio, Sauvignon Blanc, Vermentino, Viognier
Principal Red Grape Varieties: Aglianico, Alicante, Alicante Bouschet, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Frappato, Merlot, Nerello Mascalese, Nero d’Avola (Calabrese), Perricone, Petit Verdot, Pinot Nero, Syrah
Styles and Wine Composition:
WHITE WINES
- Bianco (Wh): Minimum 60% Ansonica (locally Inzolia), Catarratto, Chardonnay, Grillo, and/or Grecanico Dorato + OAWG
- Ansonica or Inzolia (Wh): Minimum 85% Ansonica + OAWG
- Catarratto (Wh): Minimum 85% Catarratto + OAWG
- Chardonnay (Wh): Minimum 85% Chardonnay + OAWG
- Chenin Blanc (Wh): Minimum 85% Chenin Blanc + OAWG
- Damaschino (Wh): Minimum 85% Damaschino + OAWG
- Fiano (Wh): Minimum 85% Fiano + OAWG
- Grecanico (Wh): Minimum 85% Grecanico Dorato + OAWG
- Grillo (Wh): Minimum 85% Grillo + OAWG
- Moscato Bianco (Wh): Minimum 85% Moscato + OAWG
- Pinot Grigio (Wh): Minimum 85% Pinot Grigio + OAWG
- Sauvignon (Wh): Minimum 85% Sauvignon Blanc + OAWG
- Vermentino (Wh): Minimum 85% Vermentino + OAWG
- Viognier (Wh): Minimum 85% Viognier + OAWG
- Dual varietals (Wh): Combinations of two of the above varieties are permitted: Maximum 85% of first-named variety; minimum 15% of second variety
- Superiore (Bianco, Catarratto, Chardonnay, Fiano, Grecanico)
ROSATO WINES
- Rosato (Ro): Minimum 60% Alicante, Alicante Bouchet, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Nerello Mascalese, Perricone, and/or Syrah + OARG
- Varietals (Ro): Minimum 85% Aglianico, Alicante, Alicante Bouchet, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Frappato, Merlot, Nerello Mascalese, Nero d’Avola, Perricone, Petit Verdot, Pinot Nero, or Syrah + OARG
RED WINES
- Rosso (Rd): Minimum 60% Alicante, Alicante Bouchet, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Nerello Mascalese, Perricone, and/or Syrah + OARG
- Aglianico (Rd): Minimum 85% Aglianico + OARG
- Alicante (Rd): Minimum 85% Alicante + OARG
- Alicante Bouchet (Rd): Minimum 85% Alicante Bouchet + OARG
- Cabernet Franc (Rd): Minimum 85% Cabernet Franc + OARG
- Cabernet Sauvignon (Rd): Minimum 85% Cabernet Sauvignon + OARG
- Frappato (Rd): Minimum 85% Frappato + OARG
- Merlot (Rd): Minimum 85% Merlot + OARG
- Nerello Mascalese (Rd): Minimum 85% Nerello Mascalese + OARG
- Nero d’Avola (Rd): Minimum 85% Nero d’Avola (aka Calabrese) + OARG
- Perricone (Rd): Minimum 85% Perricone + OARG
- Petit Verdot (Rd): Minimum 85% Petit Verdot + OARG
- Pinot Nero (Rd): Minimum 85% Pinot Nero + OARG
- Syrah (Rd): Minimum 85% Syrah + OARG
- Dual varietals (Rd): Combinations of two of the above varieties are permitted: Maximum 85% of first-named variety; minimum 15% of second variety
- Riserva (Rosso, Nero d’Avola, Perricone, Syrah)
SPARKLING WINES
- Spumante (WhSp, WhSpSw): Minimum 60% Ansonica, Catarratto, Chardonnay, Grillo, and/or Grecanico Dorato + OAWG
- Spumante Varietals (WhSp, WhSpSw): Same as Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc, Grecanico, or Moscato
- Spumante Rosato (RoSp): Minimum 85% Frappato, Nerello Mascalese, Nero d’Avola, and/or Pinot Nero + OARG
DESSERT AND SPECIALTY WINES
- Vendemmia Tardiva (Wh, WhSw): Minimum 60% Ansonica, Catarratto, Chardonnay, Grillo, and/or Grecanico Dorato + OAWG
- Passito Bianco (Wh, WhSw): Minimum 60% Ansonica, Catarratto, Chardonnay, Grillo, and/or Grecanico Dorato + OAWG
- Passito Rosso (Rd, RdSw): Minimum 60% Alicante, Alicante Bouchet, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Nerello Mascalese, Perricone, and/or Syrah + OARG
Significant Production Rules:
- Minimum alcohol level: 10.5% for Sauvignon; 11.0% for Grecanico, Grecanico Spumante, Vendemmia Tardiva (15.0% potential), and Passito (16.0% potential); 11.5% for Bianco and all non-Superiore white varietals except Grecanico and Sauvignon, Rosato and rosato varietals, Rosso, and Rosso Riserva, and all spumanti except Grecanico and Rosato; 12.0% for Superiore, all red varietals, and all red riservas
- Residual sugar: Spumante wines can range from extra brut to dolce (all white versions) or from extra brut to abboccato (Rosato)
- Aging: For Superiore, minimum 1 year (ERD = November 1, V+1); for Riserva, minimum 2 years (ERD = November 1, V+2)