Visit Sicily's Wine Regions

A quick look at the map will tell you that Sicily is not that big an island. Yet, for its size, there is a rich profusion of very many different types of wine.

Sicilian wines might not have received that great a press from wine connoisseurs in the past, but recent years have seen significant improvements and Sicily is now one of the largest producers of wine in Italy.

The types of grape grown and wine produced reflect the contrasts to be found in the island’s terrain – cool, high altitude growing conditions in the mountains (not unlike those in the north of Italy) but, elsewhere, an emphasis on the intense, fruity, full-bodied and aromatic wines that are produced under predominantly dry and sunny skies.

If wine is high on your list of ambitions for Sicily holidays, the sheer diversity and range of wines to be sampled is likely to call for at least a twin-centre stay – and possibly more than that – to do the list true justice.

Here, then, are some of the wines you might sample on a Sicily wine tour:

Marsala

• The hot, dry conditions and long sunny days of Sicily are ideal for the cultivation of grapes for dessert wines – the most famous of which, of course, is Marsala, which is produced in the west of the island around the towns of Trapani and, as the name suggests, Marsala itself.

• This is the largest vineyard region in Europe according to the square hectares under cultivation.

Erice

• The region around Trapani is also known for the production of the Erice appellation.

Cerasuolol

• These full-bodied wines may be either red or white and come from Vittoria, near Ragusa.

Etna

• The slopes of Mount Etna feature highly fertile volcanic soils, perfect for the growth of grapes that go into making red, white and rose wines.

• In eastern Sicily – including Etna – red wines predominate, but whites and roses are also distinctive. Grapes renowned in this area of the island are Nocera, Nerello Mascalese and Nerello Cappuccio varieties.

Donnafugata

• This is a fruity white wine that comes from the vineyards near Palermo.

Malvasia

• Malvasia is made in the Aeolian Islands and is a distinctive golden colour, with a sweetly perfumed bouquet. It is recognised as a particularly high-quality wine and often referred to as “the nectar of the gods”.

The Wine Enthusiast advises that 70% of Sicily’s grape harvest takes place in the west of the island. This makes Palermo a natural base for your exploration of Sicily’s wines – and is one of the major destinations in our selection of twin-centre holidays. But the island is also home to many other wine-producing areas – some of which have yet to be discovered by an expanding band of visitors.

Palermo is probably a must-stay for any initial foray into the world of Sicilian wines, therefore, but why not combine it with a second centre in Catania in the east of the island? Here, the landscape is dominated by Mount Etna and you have the chance to sample the produce grown in the fertile volcanic soils of that region.

If you are interested in a Sicily wine tour, why not call a member of our expert travel team for a personalised holiday quote. You can call us locally on 01223 637331 or you can send an online enquiry by clicking here – we typically reply to online requests within 24 hours.