| Sicilian wine is regarded as one of the best wines | | | | Catarrato and other grapes), Cerasuolo di Vittoria |
| in the world. With the ideal growing conditions | | | | (made of Grosso Nero and Nerello Mascalese |
| present in Sicily, namely the warm temperatures, | | | | grapes) or even Etna white wines (made from |
| the hilly terrain and the rich soil caressed by sea | | | | Carricante , Catarrato, Trebbiano or Minnella |
| breezes, it is not surprising that Sicilian wine has | | | | grapes. Etna red wines and rosés |
| been an integral part of the Sicilian diet for | | | | produced around the legendary active Etna |
| centuries-and that it is gaining in popularity | | | | volcano are made from Nerello grapes. And, Faro |
| world-wide today. Originally, Sicilian wine was really | | | | (which means 'lighthouse') is a typical wine from |
| only identified with Marsala, which is a sweet wine | | | | the area of Messina. |
| often used for cooking or served with dessert. | | | | In recent years a number of 'new' wines have |
| Recently however, even top wine experts from | | | | emerged from small wineries about the island. |
| America are taking note of the good, world-class | | | | Although many of these smaller wineries have |
| wines being offered in Sicily. | | | | produced wine for centuries, it is only now that |
| Marsala is definitely Sicily's most famous wine. It is | | | | they are being presented to the more |
| a fortified wine with an alcohol content of about | | | | sophisticated consumer markets and are being |
| 20%, usually made from a blend of several native | | | | toted as some of Sicily's best wines. |
| grapes such as Grillo, Catarrantto, or Inzolia | | | | A few of Sicily's wines that are gaining in |
| grapes. It is generally classed as a dessert and | | | | popularity in the American market are Nero |
| aperitif wine, and as being almost an equal of | | | | d'Avola (also called Calabrese), which has a |
| Sherry, Madeira and Port. There are three | | | | pleasant ripe fruit flavor with earthy-after tones, |
| different standards of Marsala, oro (golden), | | | | or Duca Enrico, the flagship wine of Duca di |
| ambra (amber) and rubina (ruby), and there are | | | | Salaparuta, which is a notable, historic winery |
| both sweet and dry types. There are also several | | | | founded in 1824 by prince Giuseppe Alliata. |
| categories of Marsala, such as 'Fine' (aged for a | | | | Another Sicilian red wine that has gained recent |
| minimum of one year), 'Superiore' (aged for a | | | | acclaim is Nerello Mascalese (or Nero Mascalese), |
| minimum of 2-3 years), 'Superiore Riserva' (aged | | | | which presents a sweet-dry, currant-like flavor. |
| in wood for 4-6 years, as well as other | | | | This wine is dubbed as being an excellent |
| categories. Larger vintners have always | | | | compliment to pasta in red sauce or served with |
| dominated the Marsala wine trade, but smaller | | | | roasted meats or tuna. |
| firms have recently entered into the Marsala wine | | | | The house wines of Sicily are usually thought of |
| making trade. | | | | as wines being made by a restaurant or an |
| Sicilian wine is usually defined by its denomination | | | | individual from local grapes, with views of strong |
| of origin ('designation of origin' or D.O. or D.O.C.) | | | | home-made vinegar-like wine. This, however, is |
| This encompasses the region and locality of | | | | not really the case. Some of Sicily's best house |
| where the wine was made. Of course, Marsala is | | | | wines are excellent, but because there are made |
| included in this group, but there are a number of | | | | in small quantities, these wines don't usually make |
| other Sicilian wines that are identified in this way. | | | | their way into the international marketplace. A |
| Sicilian vintners offer a range of other vintage | | | | tourist to Sicily should definitely explore these |
| D.O. wines, such as Alcamo (made from | | | | gems. |