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Sicilian Wine

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Wine grapes have always grown on the Italian island of Sicily. Some say it was Dionysus, the god of wine, who planted them there himself. The Mediterranean climate with abundant sunshine, balanced rainfall, hilly terrain and soils made rich by Mount Etna’s ash all create the perfect conditions for quality agriculture. Ancient civilizations were producing wine on the island as far back as the 17th century BC. The Greeks arrived some time around 8 BC, bringing other varietals in with them. They also brought innovations such as pruning, varietal selection and low vine training. Large quantities of wine began to flow all over the island. Very, very alcoholic wine. 
 
For several centuries, the Sicilian wine industry fell into boom and bust cycles. As the Romans spread their empire, they carried wines from Sicily with them. A type of Sicilian wine called Mamertino was said to have been Julius Caesar’s favorite. In the Byzantine Age between the 6th and 9th centuries, the Read more »

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Donnafugata Ben Ryè Passito di Pantelleri Dop (2009)

Winery: Donnafugata
Region: Italy » Sicily
Varietal: Zibibbo
Type: Dessert/Fortifieds
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shsim

Also made from Zibbibo, but those that are destined to dry naturally in the sun and that made it through three selections! The name is derived from Bent El Riah, the Arabic name for the island of Pantelleria. Although they say that it means 'Son of the...

Nero d'Avola Cusumano Sicilia (2011)

Winery: Cusumano
Region: Italy » Sicily » Sicilia
Varietal: Nero d'Avola
Type: Table Wines
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ApelsecS

This one is perfect but definitely overpriced in Russia. I got it for 23$ instead of normal 10$! The bottle is gorgeous - front label and glass cap... that is a good gift for your friends. Bright taste and fantastic blueberries aroma. I love it!

Tasca d'Almerita Lamuri Nero d'Avola IGT (2008)

Winery: Tasca D'Almerita
Region: Italy » Sicily » Sicilia Igt
Varietal: Nero d'Avola
Type: Table Wines
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shsim

Reddish brown and opaque in color, this wine had a pretty incredible nose. It was earthy, toasty (like raisins dried under the sun), plush juicy fruits of ripe red cherry and cantaloupe with hints of dried Shitake mushrooms. At first sip, I thought it ...

Planeta Rosé IGT Sicilia (2011)

Winery: Planeta
Region: Italy » Sicily » Sicilia Igt
Varietal: Syrah
Type: Table Wines
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vino in love

The color went in the direction a soft pink with pale strawberry traces. Very intense aromas of caramel, chocolate, woodland strawberries and flowers were on the nose. So many aromas that they were almost too many but only almost. I probably could ha...

Azienda Girolamo Russo 'A Rina Etna Rosso DOC (2008)

Winery: Azienda Giroalmo Russo
Region: Italy » Sicily » Etna
Type: Table Wines
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vino in love

Alcohol by volume was listed at 14%. On the palate, I enjoyed the smoothness of 'A Rina. The tannins were pleasing and the wine was dry. I tasted a few minerals and a little alcohol which gives this Rosso dell'Etna a warming feeling. The body was medi...

Sp68 IGT Sicilia Rosso Arianna Occhipinti (2009)

Winery: Arianna
Region: Italy » Sicily » Sicilia
Varietal: Nero d'Avola , Frappato
Color: Red Wines
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barri0s1872

I loved this wine, the frappato and nero d'avola work fantastically together creating a well balanced and exciting enticing wine.

Planeta Red Blend Sicilia IGT la Segreta Rosso (2010)

Winery: Planeta
Region: Italy » Sicily » Sicilia
Varietal: Nero d'Avola , Merlot , Syrah , Cabernet Franc
Type: Table Wines
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dlellis

Bright color, red berry and spice, nice balance

Planeta Chardonnay Sicilia IGT (2010)

Winery: Planeta
Region: Italy » Sicily » Sicilia Igt
Varietal: Chardonnay
Type: Table Wines
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vino in love

The 2010 vintage had a golden yellow color with green hues. There were aromas of apricot, vanilla, blossom honey, candied almonds, toasted hazelnut, banana, passion fruit and golden apple. Oak seemed to be more well-balanced here and furthermore the n...

Valcerasa Etna Rosso (2007)

Winery: Bonaccorsi
Region: Italy » Sicily » Etna
Type: Table Wines
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Eric Guido

The nose showed intense cherry and cranberry sauce with exotic spices, menthol, mountain herbs and just the perfect hint of barnyard. On the palate notes of cranberry, raspberry, dark chocolate and black licorice saturated the tastebuds with a rich tex...

Cerasuolo di Vittoria (2010)

Winery: Planeta
Region: Italy » Sicily » Cerasuolo Di Vittoria
Varietal: Nero d'Avola , Frappato
Type: Table Wines
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vino in love

The wine had a rich cherry-red color. ABV was label listed at 13%. On the nose, I had aromas of pomegranate and a variety of red fruits (strawberry and cherry were among them). In general, the aromas were the typical Cerasuolo di Vittoria ones. In the...

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Hauner Red Blend Salina IGT Hiera
Winery: Hauner
Region: Italy » Sicily » Salina
Type: Table Wines

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Eggplant and Green Pepper Kugel

Kugel is traditionally a baked pudding that's made with potato or noodles. This version uses matzo meal and eggplant for a more savory flavor and a heartier texture. Read more »

Donnafugata Tancredi Sicilia IGT
Winery: Donnafugata
Region: Italy » Sicily » Sicilia Igt
Type: Table Wines

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Montreal Peppered Steak

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Ajello Furat Sicilia IGT
Winery: Ajello
Region: Italy » Sicily » Sicilia Igt
Type: Table Wines

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Ricotta Gnocchi with Wild Boar Ragu

Chef De Carlo’s recipe for gnocchi is fantastic with the heady Wild Boar Ragu , but is equally delicious with a simple tomato sauce or a sage brown butter sauce . What to buy: While we tested th... Read more »

Oriel Nero d'Avola Sicilia IGT Il Gattopardo
Winery: Oriel
Region: Italy » Sicily » Sicilia Igt
Type: Table Wines

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Spaghetti Pizza II

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Tenuta Rapitalà Nero d'Avola Sicilia IGT
Winery: Tenuta Rapitala
Region: Italy » Sicily » Sicilia Igt
Type: Table Wines

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Pork Medallions with Double-Apple Sauce

Half-and-half finishes the sauce of tart green Granny Smith apples and sweet cider, richly mellowing the flavors. If serving wine, chardonnay is a good match for this menu. You can substitute brocc... Read more »

Planeta Nero d'Avola Sicilia IGT Santa Cecilia
Winery: Planeta
Region: Italy » Sicily » Sicilia Igt
Type: Table Wines

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Grilled Steak with Red Tomato Rice

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Planeta Sicilia Santa Cecilia
Winery: Planeta
Region: Italy » Sicily » Sicilia Igt
Type: Table Wines

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Cuban Style Marinated Steak

Lively citrus flavors and piquant seasonings combine to create this Cuban influenced marinade for steak. Read more »

Planeta Nero d'Avola Sicilia IGT Santa Cecilia
Winery: Planeta
Region: Italy » Sicily » Sicilia Igt
Type: Table Wines

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Grilled Steak Salad with Caper Vinaigrette

Add grilled steak to a bed of watercress and vegetables and toss with a tangy homemade dressing for a hearty main-dish salad. (This recipe is great with leftover beef.) Read more »

Donnafugata Tancredi Contessa Entellina DOC Rosso
Winery: Donnafugata
Region: Italy » Sicily » Contessa Entellina
Type: Table Wines

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Recipe: Rigatoni with Shredded Pork in Mustard Cream Sauce | The Kitchn

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Feudo Maccari Saia
Winery: Feudo Maccari
Region: Italy » Sicily » Sicilia
Type: Table Wines

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Tuscan Pork Chops

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Popular wines made in Sicily under $20

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Varietals Produced in Sicily View all

  • Cabernet Sauvignon

    “King of the Red Wine Grapes.” The colonizer of the vineyards, pushing native wine grapes into its shadows. The Caber...

  • Merlot

    The Occitanian word “merlot” translates to “young blackbird.” An accurate description for this popular, early-budding...

  • Syrah

    The irony here is that Syrah’s origins could give Carmen Sandiego a run for her international wallet. Syrah’s deepest...

  • Chardonnay

    British wine writer and critic, Jancis Robinson, once noted that throughout the 80’s and 90’s in the United States, C...

  • Palomino

    History of the grape: Palomino is split into three types: Palomino Fino, Palomino de Jerez and Palomino Basto. All of...

  • Nero d'Avola

    History of the grape: The name translates to “Black [grape] of Avola,” referring to the town in Sicily where it was f...

Subregions of Sicily

Popular Wineries in Sicily View all

  • Tasca D'Almerita

    The Tasca d'Almerita estate is situated in the Sclafani countryside, between the provinces of Pal...

  • Feudo Montoni

    Today the estate extends for about 73 hectares in the region of Montoni Vecchi (province of Ca...

  • Donnafugata

    Donnafugata grew out of the commitment of a family in Sicily that has always believed in the extr...

  • Cusumano

    Years of intense exchange between us and Sicily. Only one rule: natural simplicity in doing things.

  • Feudi Principi Di Butera

    Il Feudo Principi di Butera si estende in provincia di Caltanissetta nelle antiche terre del F...

  • Cantine Sgarzi Luigi

    The family Sgarzi has been growing vines and producing wines for many generations in Castel San P...

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Sicily on Snooth

  • Planeta Rosé IGT Sicilia 2011

    February 2013

    Planeta Rosé IGT Sicilia 2011

    Snoothrank:

    The color went in the direction a soft pink with pale strawberry traces.Very intense aromas of caramel, chocolate, woodland strawberries and flowers were on the nose. So many aromas that they were almost too many but only almost. I probably could have smelled this wine for hours without getting tired of it. It was that great.It was smooth and n... Read More

    Wine review by vino in love


  • Planeta Chardonnay Sicilia IGT 2009

    February 2013

    Planeta Chardonnay Sicilia IGT 2009

    Snoothrank:

    The 2009 vintage had a straw-gold color. On the nose a heavy aroma of apricot, a bit of banana, golden apple, blossom honey and hints of toasted hazelnut.Alcohol by volume was label listed at 13.5%. Rich and round on the palate with some acidity. Lots of notes of rather exotic, ripe fruit. Not overwhelmingly complex. Very long aftertaste.Tasting... Read More

    Wine review by vino in love


  • Planeta Chardonnay Sicilia IGT 2010

    February 2013

    Planeta Chardonnay Sicilia IGT 2010

    Snoothrank:

    The 2010 vintage had a golden yellow color with green hues. There were aromas of apricot, vanilla, blossom honey, candied almonds, toasted hazelnut, banana, passion fruit and golden apple. Oak seemed to be more well-balanced here and furthermore the nose had even more to offer than the 2009 vintage which already showed a high diversity.Tasting ... Read More

    Wine review by vino in love


  • Donnafugata Kabir Moscato di Pantelleria DOC 2009

    January 2013

    Donnafugata Kabir Moscato di Pantelleria DOC 2009

    Snoothrank:

    wine sampling jan 24, 2013. vintage 2010. alc. 11.7, sug. 118 g/l, 89 points, aroma: sweet citrus plants, sweet melon, honey > strawberry with cream. VERY GOOD, superb: - /: : , Read More

    Wine review by alanb1108


  • Corvo Red Blend Sicilia IGT Rosso 2010

    January 2013

    Corvo Red Blend Sicilia IGT Rosso 2010

    Snoothrank:

    This is a mix of Nero d'Avola and Nerello mascalese. The second one does not exists on snooth for some reason.Wild cherry and dark red fruits here. The wine is well balanced, very nice and mild but I personally prefer more alcohol, this one is a bit waterish for me... Read More

    Wine review by ApelsecS


  • Corvo Red Sicilia 2007

    January 2013

    Corvo Red Sicilia 2007

    Snoothrank:

    A surprisingly delicious wine with a low price. My wife and I received a bottle as a gift and weren't expecting much taste, but we were pleasantly surprised how smooth the wine tasted. Read More

    Wine review by alanb1108


  • Feudo Maccari Nero d'Avola Sicilia Saia 2008

    January 2013

    Feudo Maccari Nero d'Avola Sicilia Saia 2008

    Snoothrank:

    No written review

    Wine review by dlellis


  • Planeta Cerasuolo di Vittoria DOCG Sicily 2008

    January 2013

    Planeta Cerasuolo di Vittoria DOCG Sicily 2008

    Snoothrank:

    No written review

    Wine review by Barberolo


  • Sp68 IGT Sicilia Rosso Arianna Occhipinti 2009

    January 2013

    Sp68 IGT Sicilia Rosso Arianna Occhipinti 2009

    Snoothrank:

    No written review

    Wine review by Barberolo


  • Tenuta di Trinoro Passopisciaro Nerello Mascalese 2005

    January 2013

    Tenuta di Trinoro Passopisciaro Nerello Mascalese 2005

    Snoothrank:

    No written review

    Wine review by Barberolo


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