Description
The Sicilia PDO is reserved for the following types of wine: White (incl. Riserva), White Superiore, Red (incl. Riserva), Rosé, White Spumante, Rosé Spumante, White Late Harvest, Red Late Harvest, White Passito and Red Passito. The Designation also incorporates numerous grape variety specifications.
Production Area
The production area of Sicilia PDO is within the entire territory of the Sicily region.
Description of product typologies
Sicilia PDO Bianco is straw-yellow with hues varying in intensity; the nose is moderately strong with perfectly balanced floral and fruity aromas; it is balanced and characteristic on the palate, ranging from dry to medium-sweet. Sicilia PDO Bianco Riserva ranges from straw to golden yellow, varying in intensity; the nose is dense, elegant and persistent; it is balanced and characteristic on the palate, ranging from dry to medium-sweet. Sicilia PDO Bianco Superiore is straw-yellow, varying in intensity; the nose is fine and elegant; it is dry, balanced and characteristic on the palate. Sicilia PDO Rosso is bright ruby red; the nose reveals strong notes of red fruit and light sensations of brushwood; it is dry and slightly tannic on the palate, medium-bodied and with good persistence. Sicilia PDO Rosso Riserva is ruby-red, tending towards garnet with ageing; the nose is intense and fruity; it is harmonious and full-bodied on the palate, ranging from dry to medium-sweet. It is aged for a minimum period of two years, commencing November 1st of the year in which the grapes were produced. Sicilia PDO Rosato is soft pink to pink, varying in intensity and at times with coppery hues; the nose offers fine, yet persistent fruity notes; the characteristic fruity flavours stand out on the palate, blending with a fairly good structure and a good acid vein. Sicilia PDO Spumante Bianco Metodo Charmat is distinguished by its bright straw-yellow colour and fine, persistent perlage; the nose displays notes of white fruit and yeasts; it is harmonious and fresh on the palate, with a good acid backbone that leads to an appreciable persistent finish. Sicilia PDO Spumante Bianco Metodo Classico is straw-yellow, varying in intensity, and has fine, persistent foam; the nose reveals a delicate, ample bouquet with good persistence; it is fresh and harmonious on the palate, with good structure and a flavour that ranges from brut nature to extra dry. Sicilia PDO Spumante Rosé Metodo Charmat is bright pink; the nose reveals a well-balanced bouquet of fruit and floral notes, creating a delicate aroma; it is fresh and harmonious on the palate, with a clean, decisive flavour and a persistent finish. Sicilia PDO Spumante Rosé Metodo Classico is pink, varying in intensity, and has a fine, persistent perlage; the nose opens with a delicate, ample bouquet; it is fresh on the palate, with good structure and a flavour that ranges from brut nature to extra dry. Sicilia PDO Vendemmia Tardiva Bianco varies from straw-yellow to intense golden yellow; the nose displays fragrances reminiscent of fresh fruit and almond, with hints of fresh pastries; it is smooth on the palate, with embracing balance and a particularly persistent finish. Sicilia PDO Vendemmia Tardiva Rosso is bright, shiny ruby-red, tending towards garnet with ageing; the nose is persistent with jammy notes of red fruit; it is harmonious on the palate and offers a velvety structure. Sicilia PDO Passito Bianco ranges from straw-yellow to golden yellow; the nose is delicate and persistent; it is harmonious on the palate, with a flavour that ranges from dry to sweet. Sicilia PDO Passito Rosso is ruby-red, tending towards garnet with ageing; the nose is characteristic and delicate, with a persistent finish; the flavour is harmonious, ranging from dry to sweet. All types of Sicilia PDO Spumante wines must be produced through natural fermentation in the bottle (Classico Method) or in autoclaves (Charmat Method). Sicilia PDO Vendemmia Tardiva Bianco and Sicilia PDO Vendemmia Tardiva Rosso wines must be produced with grapes that have been dried on the vines until they reach a minimum natural alcohol level of 15% vol. for red wines and 13% vol. for white wines.
Grape variety specifications
The Sicilia PDO may display the following grape variety specifications. From white grape varieties: min. 85% Inzolia, Grillo, Chardonnay, Catarratto, Carricante, Grecanico, Fiano, Damaschino, Viognier, Muller Thurgau, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Grigio, Moscato Bianco, Vermentino, Zibibbo, pure or with the addition of similarly-coloured grapes originating from other grape varieties suitable for cultivation in the concerned area, max. 15%. From red grape varieties: min. 85% Nero d’Avola, Perricone, Nerello Cappuccio, Frappato, Nerello Mascalese, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Pinot Nero, Nocera, Mondeuse, Carignano, Alicante, Petit Verdot, Sangiovese, pure or with the addition of similarly-coloured grapes originating from other grape varieties suitable for cultivation in the concerned area, max. 15%. The specification of two of the grape varieties listed above, including the Zibibbo grape variety and excluding other aromatic grapes, is also permitted, on the condition that the wine is made exclusively with the indicated grape varieties. The minority variety must be greater than 15% of the total, and must follow the predominant variety in the designation and on the product’s label. The characteristics of the colour, fragrances and flavour of each specification are those typical of the grape variety and terroir of origin.
Additional specifications
The Sicilia PDO designation can be followed by the specification Vigna (Vineyard) with the relative toponym.
