Beyond the Strait of Messina, Sicily is highlighting not only the great production, which in 2009 gave about 6,175,000 hl of wine, in particular white wines. Sicily has excellent wines, linked both to autochthonous vines such as Nero d'Avola and Inzolia, and to some internationals such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah, and Chardonnay.
Viticulture develops in the western zone and in the province of Trapani, the land of Marsala DOC, where more than 50% of the area is dedicated to vineyards.
The wine Marsala has a particular story. Very appreciated in the past, it experienced a crisis in the 1960s for a bad brand image. However, thanks to a new detailed specification, this wine is giving positive and satisfactory results.
The most characteristic white grape varieties are Cataratti, Inzolia or Ansonica, Grecanico, Damaschino, and Grillo, which are the basis for the production of most white wines. Among those with red berries, you can mention the Nero d'Avola, Nerello Mascalese, Perricone or Pignatello, and the Frappato, which give very encouraging results in different areas. Although it is appreciated for some great dry wines, Sicily is still much loved for the golden colors of its sweet dessert wines, for their aromatic nuances, and the velvety softness of taste, unmistakable in Malvasia delle Lipari and Moscato Passito di Pantelleria, obtained from Zibibbo or Moscato di Alessandria.