For decades, even centuries, Sicily was known as a source of rustic, inexpensive red wines, typically sold in bulk for bottling as simple table wine. But beginning in the late 1980s and early 1990s, glimmers of ambition from producers such as Tasca d’Almerita and Donnafugata began to appear, bringing wines that took full advantage of the island’s potential.
Starting around 2001, Mount Etna began its climb to fame as a wine region, as opposed to just a sometimes (very) alarming volcano. Today, Sicily’s wines represent some of the best of Italy, especially the ones made from the island’s abundance of native varieties. Here are 6 excellent Sicilian wines that offer standout flavor for an incredible value.
6 Sicilian wines to buy right now
2022 Donnafugata Floramundi Cerasuolo di Vittoria ($24)
Donnafugata makes wines from vineyards all over Sicily; this one comes from near the town of Vittoria. Cerasuolo, which translates to “cherrylike,” is a local blend of Nero d’Avola and Frappato. Its juicy red-berry flavors have grace notes of green olives and Mediterranean herbs.
2022 Feudo Montoni Lagnusa Nero d’Avola ($27)
In the center of Sicily, owners Fabio Sireci and Melissa Muller maintain a hidden agricultural paradise at this organic estate. They grow lentils, chickpeas, herbs, olives, and much more, including (of course) grapes. This Nero d’Avola is fresh and vivid, all ripe strawberries and blackberries, with an earthy finish.
2024 Tasca d’Almerita Tenuta Whitaker Mozia Grillo ($30)
Just off the coast near Marsala is the tiny island of Mozia, where Tenuta Whitaker, one of the many Tasca family properties, makes this distinctive white from the Sicilian Grillo variety. It’s abundantly flavorful, like a basket of tangerines, pineapples, and limes, but a nice edge of acidity keeps it from being cloying.
2023 Valle dell’Acate Il Frappato ($31)
Take a sip of this Frappato, a light-bodied, lively Sicilian red variety that has lately come back into fashion, and you’ll summon a childhood memory of raspberry hard candies (or an adult memory, if you still enjoy them). Valle Dell’Acate is one of the benchmark wineries of Sicily’s southeastern Ragusa province.
2023 Tenuta di Fessina Erse Etna Bianco ($31)
Founded in 2007, Tenuta di Fessina is a name to watch among the second wave of new Etna producers. This 90% Carricante white is medium-bodied and silky, filled with fresh lemon-pear flavors and palate-whetting acidity: a great shellfish wine.
2023 Azienda Agricola COS Frappato ($33)
COS is a groundbreaking Sicilian winery, among the first on the island to farm biodynamically and age its wines in clay amphorae. This light-bodied red suggests fresh summer strawberries, with orange-peel notes on the finish. Chill it down, even as summer’s heat turns into cooler fall.
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