Sicily General Flashcards
Who is credited with the discovery of Marsala?
John Woodhouse
- Englishman
- Discovered on Sicily’s western edge
- 1773, first to fortify to ensure safe shipment to his home country

Political event that created the original demand for Marsala
The War of the Spanish Succession
(England v. France)

Two biggest wine producers in the latter part of the 20th century (accounting for nearly all production other than Marsala)

- Corvo-Duca di Salaparuta
- Conte Tasca d’Almerita / Regaleali
Sicily
Producers that have led the resurgence of higher quality / lower yields in the 70s, 80s, and 90s
- Marco de Bartoli (Marsala)
- Planeta
- Palari
- COS
Narrow waterway that separates Sicily from Calabria
Straight of Messina

Sicily
Vineyard area
appx 120,000 ha (2022)
* most vineyard area in Italy
Sicily
Italy rank in production
4th largest in Italy
* 5.9 million hl (65 million cases)
* Although the most vineyard area planted in Italy (appx 120,000 ha), lower yields, lower planting density, and the prevalence of old bush vines, only ranked #4
Sicily
Most planted grape
Catarratto
- 7th most cultivated grape in Italy, despite only vineyards in Western Sicily (2024)

Sicily
Most planted red grape
Nero d’Avola

Sicily
Major white grapes
- Cattaratto
- Carricante
- Inzolia
- Grillo
- Grecanico
- Zibbibo

Nero d’Avola synonym
Calabrese

Zibbibo synonym
Muscat of Alexandria

Sicily
Sole DOCG
Cerasuolo di Vittoria DOCG
* Est 2005

Cerasuolo di Vittoria DOCG
Grapes
- 50-70% Nero d’Avola
- 30-50% Frappato

Cerasuolo di Vittoria DOCG
Styles
Rosso only
* Cerasuolo di Vittoria
* Cerasuolo di Vittoria Classico
Cerasuolo di Vittoria
Soils
Iron-rich clay over limestone

DOC contiguous with Cerasuolo di Vittoria
Vittoria DOC
- Rosso: 50-70% Nero d’Avola, 30-50% Frappato
- Novello: 80% Nero d’Avola and Frappato
- Varietal: Calabrese (Nero d’Avola), Frappato, Ansonica (Inzolia)

Sicily
Number of DOCs
23 DOCs (2024)
* 38% of production at DOC/G level
d
Sicily
1st DOC
Etna DOC, 1968
Sicily
Sweet wine DOCs
- **Marsala DOC (W)
- Moscato di Noto DOC and Moscato di Siracusa DOC** (SE; east of Vittoria)
- Malvasia delle Lipari DOC (N; off the coast)
- Moscato di Pantelleria DOC & Passito di Pantelleria DOC (SW; off the coast)

Etna DOC
Styles
- Bianco: 60% Carricante, + Catarratto Bianco Comune, Catarratto Bianco Lucido, +
- Bianco Superiore: 80% Carricante, +
- Rosato/Rosso/Riserva: 80% Nerello Mascalese, plus Nerello Mantellato, +
- Spumante: rosato or bianco, 60% Nerello Mascalese, +

Etna Rosso Riserva aging
- 4 yrs, 1 yr wood

Etna Spumante
Aging requirement
- Metodo Classico
- 18 months on lees

albarello
Bush vines
* Vine training common in Etna








