Sicilian Wines
The very name Sicily conjures images of glasses tinkling and clear sparkling or deep colored wines swirling. Then why should you be deprived of this heavenly experience? Come join in. Welcome to his land of fine wines and amazing wine tasting tours.
There are some things you could do with knowing about Sicilian wines when you get down to the business of buying or ordering them. Here are some pointers, though not all, for you to begin.
Sicily is one of Europe's oldest viticulture regions. Though eastern Sicily and the Mount Etna regions are said to produce the finest wines, the entire island is a mesh of vineries and a wine connoisseur's paradise. The vintage wines are enchanting and often boast of the denomination of origin. With a variety of both table and dessert wines and a variety of regional liqueurs, Sicily ranks high as a wine region.
Marsala, which gets its name from the region where it was first made, is Sicily's most well known wine. Made with Grillo, Inzolia, or Catarratto grapes, it is a fortified wine with 20 percent alcohol content. Equated with Sherry and Madeira and even port wine at a time, Marsala was pushed into the kitchen as a cooking wine. But, today it is back to its original position of a dessert and aperitif wine and can be oro (golden), ambra (amber), and rubino (ruby) while being either sweet or dry.
Then there is Zibibbo which is made from sun fermented grapes. However, the commercial Zibibbo is a strong wine which is fermented and then partially distilled naturally, without adding any spirits. It contains about 15% alcohol and can be at times rather robust.
No discussion on Sicily can be complete without reference to its unique liquors. Ala and Averna are Sicilian liquors with distinctive taste. Fichera, made in the region of Mount Etna is new yet worth a try. If you are looking for dessert wines, check out the almond-flavored white wines. Then, there are others which are more interesting - made form cactus fruits and form artichokes.
The native Grappa is a brandy, usually white, made from grape seeds and pomace. It is high on alcohol and is a post dinner drink. It is usually sold in especially crafted clear glass bottles made especially for Grappa.
Moscato is generally a golden or light amber dessert wine. It might be fortified or sparkling. Malvasia, too, is golden to amber and slightly fortified. Nero d'Avola is a are wine which is hearty and is Sicily's most popular non-fortified wine. At times, it is blended with other reds. Nero d'Avolas vintages offered by Milazzo and Planeta stand out from other.
Sicily's nouveau vintage wine, Novello, is sold every year just a few months after the grapes are harvested and pressed. It is usually a robust and fruity wine.
Chardonnay, the world's omnipresent varietal, is there in Sicily, but primarily made by small vintners.
Here are some names you might want to remember:
White: Carricante, Cataratto Bianco, Corinto, Grecanico, Zibibbo
Red: Frappato, Gaglioppo Nero D'Avola
We would like to thank Travel Weblog for their help in making this article!
