Sicily

Question 1

Describe the wines of CERASUOLO DI VITTORIA DOCG

Answer 1

Light-bodied, fruit-forward red wines produced in the south-eastern province of Ragusa and parts of Caltanisetta.
Nero d’Avola 50-70%, Frappato 30-50%.
Depending on the proportion of both grapes, the wines can either show more structure and dark fruit flavors (higher amounts of Nero d’Avola) or be lighter in body but more fragrant with brighter red fruit flavors (Frappato).

Question 2

Describe the Etna DOC

Answer 2

DOC in 1968
High-quality red and white wines from the slopes of Mount Etna.
Etna Rosso is composed of Nerello Mascalese (80-100%) and Nerello Cappuccio (up to 20%).
Etna Bianco is composed of at least 60% of Carricante, up to 40% Catarratto and/or up to 15% other varieties (Minella, Trebbiano…)
Etna Bianco Superiore is produced exclusively in the commune of Milo.

The vineyards for Etna DOC lie between 450 and 1.100 meters, although some vineyards outside the DOC go up as high as 1.200 meters, among the highest in Italy (and Europe). A cooler climate is partially compensated by intense sunlight, both direct and reflected by the nearby sea. The soils are volcanic, rich in minerals, formed by the disintegration of several types of lava from different ages and different eruptive materials.

Question 3

compare Carricante and Catarratto

Answer 3

Carricante is the most important. Structure.

Catarratto - look this up. Does it bring aroma?

Question 4

WHat is the sig of Ginestra

Answer 4

It begins to grow in volcacnic soils once it is ready to support life again after eruption. Can take a handful of years or many.

Question 5

Tell me about Sicilia DOC

Answer 5

DOC in 2011
Covers a large range of mono-varietal and blended wines from both local and international varieties: white, rosé, red, sparkling and dessert wines.

The most important grapes are Nero d’Avola, Catarratto, Grillo, Carricante and NerelloMascalese, as well as the international Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Chardonnay.

Monovarietal wines are produced from atleast 85% of the stated varietal.

Question 6

Describe the Marsala DOC

Answer 6

DOC in 1969
Among the world’s most famous fortified wines with alcohol from grape or with acquavit, it is made in the town of Marsala on the western coast of Sicily.
It is a generally accepted fact that the Marsala wine style was created by the English wine merchant John Woodhouse in the late 18th century. Woodhouse, who specialized in Sherry, Port, and Madeira wines, found excellent wines of oxidative style in Marsala, which he fortified to allow them to withstand the long journey by sea.
There are five age-related categories:
Fine (1 year), Superiore (2 years), Superiore Riserva (4 years), Vergine/Solera (5 years) and Vergine/Solera Stravecchio (10 years). These are complemented by indications regarding the color: oro (gold), ambra (amber) for the white version, and rubino (ruby) for the red version, and the amount of sugar in the wine: secco (dry, up to 40 g/l), semi-secco (semi-sweet, 40-100 g/l) and dolce (sweet, over 100 g/l).
10 different varieties may now be used to produce Marsala, mostly Catarratto, Grillo, and Inzolia.