Sicile

Sicily has been a wine-producing region since the Phoenicians established the first vineyards there in the 8th century BC. Although Sicilian wine began to gain recognition abroad in the 18th century, particularly with the sweet wine of Marsala, it was not until the 1970s that Sicily's vineyards underwent a tremendous modernization and development.

Sicily enjoys a typical Mediterranean climate, mild in winter and hot, even very hot, in summer. These favorable conditions have enabled it to reach 180,000 hectares of planted vines, making it the largest vineyard in Italy. 70% of production is white wine. A large part of these Sicilian wines are produced by cooperatives using international grape varieties and indigenous varieties such as Cataratto, Grecanico, Inzolia, Nero d'Avola, and Nerello Mascales.

Sicily now boasts numerous local DOC (Denominazione di Origine Controllata) appellations identifying wines with distinctive, typically Sicilian characteristics, such as Pantelleria, Monreale, and Vittoria. Wine lovers will appreciate the personality of the wines from the Caruso & Minini estate.