Sicilia DOC Wines – Don’t be April Fooled – Know the Quality
The quality of Sicilia DOC’s wines is certainly exceptional. The wines reflect Sicily’s rich winemaking heritage, diverse terroirs, and the special characteristics of the region’s indigenous varieties. Above all, Sicilia DOC bottlings mirror the authenticity of the land with its unabashed ruggedness, relaxed confidence, and the obvious beauty that has charmed people for generations. Wines from Sicilia DOC are becoming so popular worldwide that they are often mistaken for or compared to wines from other major wine producing areas.
Get to know Sicilia DOC by the numbers. In 2023, there were 22.519 hectares declared; 7,202 wine growers; 530 wineries that bottled wine; 641,884 hectolitres (a metric unit of capacity equal to one hundred liters); and 85,584,579 bottles produced.
Try a few Sicilian wines for yourself and consider having some tricky tastings this April Fool’s Day with Frappato, Nerello Mascalese, and a Sicilian take on Pinot Grigio. It’s a great get together idea for wine lovers as spring gatherings go into full swing.
Frappato is an indigenous Sicilian variety only found on the island, and the fun, light red wine Frappato creates has become a beloved chilled summer red. Its lightness and bursting flavors of cherry and strawberry are often compared with the characteristics of Beaujolais Nouveau. While both wines are incredibly food friendly and vibrantly acidic, avoid being fooled by recognizing Frappato’s floral and spicy notes.
Often compared with the famed Pinot Noirs of Burgundy, Nerello Mascalese has caused quite a stir in recent years. The elegance and structure of Pinot Noir harkens to France, but Nerello Mascalese is unique unto itself, as volcanic soils lend the grape a smoky, mineral character. Make sure not to confuse the dried rose aromas that can be found in both wines.
When opening a bottle of Sicilian Pinot Grigio, do not taste thinking it will be like the wine of Italy’s northern climes. Rather, prepare for an international variety honed in Sicilian soils, the latter of which will have imparted a unique character to this classic varietal. Fresh flavors present with aromas of ripened stone fruit and dried flowers.
Explore some of the brands that are available in the Sicilian DOC that include Valle dell’Acate, Gaetana Jacono, Donnafugata, and Stemmari.
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Photos courtesy of Sicilia DOC
