Region: Sicilia
History: Established as a DOC in 2000
Principal White Grape Varieties: Ansonica, Catarratto, Chardonnay, Grillo, Pinot Bianco
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 Inzolia) and/or Catarratto; maximum 30% Trebbiano; maximum 50% OAG
- Ansonica or Inzolia (Wh): Minimum 85% Ansonica + OAWG
- Catarratto (Wh): Minimum 85% Catarratto + OAWG
- Chardonnay (Wh): Minimum 85% Chardonnay + OAWG
- Grillo (Wh): Minimum 85% Grillo + OAWG
- Pinot Bianco (Wh): Minimum 85% Pinot Bianco + OAWG
- Superiore (Bianco, white varietals)
ROSATO WINES
- Rosato (Ro): Minimum 70% Nerello Mascalese, Perricone, and/or Sangiovese + OARG
RED WINES
- Rosso (Rd): Minimum 50% Nero d’Avola and/or Perricone + OARG
- Cabernet Sauvignon (Rd): Minimum 85% Cabernet Sauvignon + OARG
- Calabrese or Nero d’Avola (Rd): Minimum 85% Nero d’Avola (aka Calabrese) + OARG
- Merlot (Rd): Minimum 85% Merlot + OARG
- Perricone (Rd): Minimum 85% Perricone + OARG
- Pinot Nero (Rd): Minimum 85% Pinot Nero + OARG
- Sangiovese (Rd): Minimum 85% Sangiovese + OARG
- Syrah (Rd): Minimum 85% Syrah + OARG
- Novello (Rosso, red varietals)
- Riserva (Rosso, red varietals)
DESSERT AND SPECIALTY WINES
- Vendemmia Tardiva (Wh, WhSw): Minimum 50% Ansonica and/or Catarratto + OAG (maximum 30% Trebbiano)
Significant Production Rules:
- For Vendemmia Tardiva, grapes cannot be harvested until October 1
- Minimum alcohol level: 11.0% for Bianco, Ansonica, Catarratto, Grillo, Pinot Bianco, and Rosato; 11.5% for Novello; 12.0% for Chardonnay, Rosso, and red varietals; 12.5% for Superiore and Riserva; 14% (potential) for Vendemmia Tardiva
- Aging: For Superiore, minimum 6 months (ERD = May 1, V+1); for Vendemmia Tardiva, minimum 12 months, including 6 months in barrel (ERD = November 1, V+1); for Riserva, minimum 2 years (ERD = November 1, V+2)
