Italy is the largest producer of wine in the world and the region of Sicily is among the top five Italian regions in terms of production. This island alone boasts many quality wines, with no less than seven IGT (Indicazione Geografica Tipica, or Typical Geographical Indication), 24 DOC (Denominazione di Origine Controllata, or Controlled Denomination of Origin) and one DOCG (Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita, or Controlled and Guaranteed Denomination of Origin).  

Sicily's wine characteristics 

Sicily is an island in southern Italy, also known as the Island of the Sun, and is the largest region in Italy. These enchanting lands preserve and maintain an ancient culinary and wine tradition, as well as being an area brimming with history, art, culture and breathtaking landscapes. And it is precisely the diversity of the landscape, with its mountains, hills, plains, volcanoes and sea, combined with the different types of terrain (lava, limestone, clay and volcanic ash), that gives us the excellent Sicilian wines. The climate is Mediterranean, with marked temperature fluctuations in the mountains and hinterland, and this too is a factor that positively influences the grapes and their characteristics. 

Sicilian wine pairings to try at least once in your life 

The great wineries of the area, such as Donnafugata, Tasca d'Almerita and Cantine Colosi, to name but a few, explore the potential of the territory and can produce from native and international vines, excellent red wines, rosés, whites, sparkling wines and sweet wines that every wine lover should taste. Some superlatives must be sampled, and for those who are about to visit Sicily (even if only in their minds) here are some of the best Sicilian wines and their pairings with typical specialities! 

Nero d'Avola Sicilia DOC, one of the best Italian red wines 

Nero d'Avola, named after the native vine of the same name, is a Sicilian excellence and is rightfully among the most famous and best Italian red wines. Characterised by a fruity, spicy flavour, good body and high alcohol content, it goes very well with the typical pasta alla norma, la parmigiana and all aubergine dishes! It is also sublime in the rosé version, like this 'eColosi' Nero d'Avola Rosé DOC 2020, a versatile wine that can be paired with fish, white meat and pizza, and is also perfect as an aperitif. 

Etna DOC, a wine born on the slopes of the volcano 

This Denominazione di Origine Controllata, which takes its name from the active Sicilian volcano, was the first DOC established in the region and includes red, rosé, white and sparkling wines. The white version, such as the award-winning 'Lenza di Munti 720 slm' Etna Bianco DOC 2020, with its wildflower fragrances and fresh, elegant flavour, is perfect with fish, even fried! The Etna Rosso DOC, made with Nerello Mascalese grapes, is the most common type, characterised by its distinctive aromas and dry, harmonious flavour – to be tasted with Sicilian caponata barocca, a vegetable-based dish, or braciole messinesi, a very savoury meat dish with sauce. 

Chardonnay Sicilia DOC, fresh and elegant 

Chardonnay Sicilia DOC falls within the Sicilia DOC, a denomination that includes more than 30 types of wines strongly associated with the territory. 'La Fuga' Chardonnay Sicilia DOC 2020 exhibits aromas of tropical fruits such as mango and has a fresh, pleasant flavour, perfect when paired with risottos and fish dishes. A bit of trivia? Its grapes are harvested at night starting in August. 

Zibibbo and Passito di Pantelleria DOC 

Zibibbo is an aromatic grape belonging to the Muscat family, from which great wines are produced, both dry and sparkling, but these grapes are particularly suited to producing excellent sweet wines such as the Passito di Pantelleria DOC 'Ben Ryé'. With a very intense bouquet, it can be enjoyed both as a wine for sipping meditatively and as a counterpoint to spicy dishes,  caramelised duck, and also as an accompaniment to typical Sicilian desserts. 

Cerasuolo di Vittoria DOCG 

The only wine in the region to have obtained the DOCG, thanks to the dedication of the winegrowers, Cerasuolo di Vittoria is obtained from grapes of indigenous Sicilian vineyards: Nero d'Avola and Frappato. This red wine has a dry, harmonious flavour with floral and fruity aromas and goes well with meat dishes as well as elaborate fish dishes, and also with pizza marinara and roasted chestnuts. 

Last but not least: organic wines in Sicily 

If, in your choice of wine (and at all other times), you seek to make sustainable and conscientious choices, it is good to know that Sicily leads Italy in terms of the area planted with vines dedicated to the cultivation and production of organic wines of the highest quality, produced using practices that respect the land and have a low environmental impact.  

These are just some of the many excellent Sicilian wines: see all the best Sicilian wines that the experts at Svinando have selected for you!