Description
The Riesi PDO is reserved for the following types of wine: White, Red, Rosé, Spumante, Late Harvest and Novello. The Designation also incorporates numerous grape variety specifications.
Production Area
The production area of Riesi PDO is within the entire territory of the municipalities of Butera, Riesi and Mazzarino in the Province of Caltanissetta, in the Sicily region.
Description of product typologies
Riesi PDO Bianco is straw-yellow, at times with greenish reflections; the nose is intense with fruity hints and at times minerally notes; it is harmonious and smooth on the palate, with good sapidity. Riesi PDO Rosso is ruby red, becoming extremely dark with ageing; the nose displays floral and fruity notes with hints of spices, tobacco and wood; It is smooth and persistent on the palate, with good structure. It can display Superiore and Superiore Riserva on the label. Riesi PDO Rosato is pink; the nose reveals aromas of spices and red fruit, with a light note of pink grapefruit; it is sapid, warm and smooth on the palate, and is characterised by its good structure. The grapes used to produce Riesi PDO Rosé must be vinified with rosé winemaking methods, using red and white grapes that have been mashed separately. Riesi PDO Spumante is straw-yellow and has a fine, persistent perlage; the nose is sweet with floral notes of Freisa and hawthorn and fruity notes of banana, mulberry, peach, pineapple, white melon, lemon and candied citron; it is medium-structured and fresh on the palate, with a long fruity finish. Riesi PDO Vendemmia Tardiva has an intense yellow to amber colour; the nose is sweet with notes of ripe exotic fruit and sultana and wafts of dried apricot; it is velvety, harmonious and rich on the palate, with good persistence. Riesi PDO Novello is ruby red with purple reflections; the nose reveals intense fragrances of blackcurrant, raspberry and blackberry; it is fresh on the palate, with fruity hints. Before being released for consumption, Riesi PDO Rosso wine must have been aged for a minimum period of four months, commencing November 10th of the year in which the grapes were harvested; for Riesi PDO Rosso Superiore the minimum ageing period is two years, commencing November 10th of the year in which the grapes were harvested; Riesi PDO Rosso Superiore Riserva must be aged for at least three years, commencing November 10th of the year in which the grapes were harvested, of which a minimum of one year must be in wooden recipients and 6 months maturing in the bottle. Grapes destined for the production of Riesi PDO Vendemmia Tardiva wines must have been dried on the vines and harvested after October 10th. Riesi PDO Rosso wines can be released for consumption from April of the year following that of the grape harvest; Riesi PDO Bianco and Riesi PDO Rosato wines can be released for consumption from February of the year following that of the grape harvest. Riesi PDO Rosso Superiore and Riesi PDO Vendemmia Tardiva cannot be released for consumption before November of the second year following that in which the grapes were produced, and Riesi PDO Superiore Riserva from November of the third year following that of the grape harvest.
Grape variety specifications
The Riesi PDO may display the following grape variety specifications. From white grape varieties: min. 85% Insolia, Chardonnay, pure or with the addition of similarly-coloured unaromatic grapes originating from other grape varieties suitable for cultivation in the concerned area, max. 15%. From red grape varieties: min. 85% Merlot, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, pure or with the addition of similarly-coloured grapes originating from other grape varieties suitable for cultivation in the concerned area, max. 15%. The characteristics of the colour, fragrances and flavour of each specification are those typical of the grape variety and terroir of origin. Riesi PDO wines with specification of a white grape variety may be released for consumption from the February following the grape harvest; those with the specification of a red grape variety can be released for consumption from the April following the grape harvest.
