Region: Sicilia
History: Established as a DOC in 2006
Principal White Grape Varieties: Ansonica, Catarratto, Chardonnay, Grillo
Principal Red Grape Varieties: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Nero d’Avola (Calabrese), Syrah
Styles and Wine Composition:
WHITE WINES
- Bianco (Wh): Minimum 60% Catarratto + OANWG
- Catarratto (Wh): Minimum 85% Catarratto + OANWG
- Chardonnay (Wh): Minimum 85% Chardonnay + OANWG
- Grillo (Wh): Minimum 85% Grillo + OANWG
- Inzolia (Wh): Minimum 85% Ansonica (locally Inzolia) + OANWG
RED WINES
- Rosso (Rd): Minimum 65% Nero d’Avola (aka Calabrese) + OANRG
- Cabernet Sauvignon (Rd): Minimum 85% Cabernet Sauvignon + OANRG
- Merlot (Rd): Minimum 85% Merlot + OANRG
- Nero d’Avola (Rd): Minimum 85% Nero d’Avola + OANRG
- Syrah (Rd): Minimum 85% Syrah + OANRG
- Novello (Rd): Minimum 50% Nero d’Avola; minimum 20% Merlot; maximum 30% OANRG
- Riserva (Rosso, red varietals)
Significant Production Rules:
- Minimum alcohol level: 11.5% for Inzolia and Novello; 12.0% for Bianco, Catarratto, and Grillo; 12.5% for Rosso; 13.0% for Chardonnay and red varietals; 14.0% for Riserva
- Aging: For Riserva, minimum 2 years, including 6 months in barrel (ERD = November 1, V+2)
