Amordivino Wines
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Sicilia

Population: 5.108.067
Surface (Kmq): 25707
Density (Ab/Kmq.): 199
Main city: Palermo (PA)
Other towns: Agrigento (AG); Caltanissetta (CL); Catania (CT); Enna (EN); Messina (ME); Ragusa (RG); Siracusa (SR); Trapani (TP)

Sicily, the largest Mediterranean island, is a sun-drenched land full of possibilities: wonderful beaches, great cuisine, archaeological sites and beautiful landscapes dotted with frugal villages where you will find women dressed all in black, donkeys, goats and the typical Sicilian way of life. The east coast of the island is dominated by Mount Etna, towering 3180m over the surrounding countryside, controlling the climate and fertility of much of the island. Still active, it is the biggest volcano in Europe. The area to the west of the river Torto has an irregular limestone formation alternating with low rolling hills, while over to the east of the island, between Messina and Mount Etna, lies the easternmost tip of the Peloritani chain - very similar to the mountains of Calabria. Sicily is one of the oldest inhabited parts of Italy, subjected throughout history to invasion from just about every people in the Mediterranean area, all of whom have left their mark.


 
 

Sicily has more vineyards than any of the other Italian regions competing with Apulia for first place as the largest wine producer. Yet, Sicilians consume less wine per capite than any other Italian.

Many grapes are made into raisins, used in local cooking, and Sicilian grapes also play a large role in creating dessert wines, which require a higher concentration of grapes and are consumed in smaller quantities. In fact, in the world of international wine, Sicily is renowned for the many outstanding dessert wines, such as the world-famous Marsala.

Though dessert wines account for about 90% of the total DOC production, we shouldn't disregard the several good reds and whites that are produced all over the island by both large producers such as the Conte di Salaparuta, which makes the well-known Corvo, Regaleali and Rapitalà, and the smaller estates such as Donnafugata, Consorzio Agrario Provinciale di Trapani, and Fontanarossa among others.

If you happen to travel to the island around November 11, the day dedicated by the catholic church to Saint Martin, look for signs announcing the local Festa del Vino or "Festival of the Wine". It is believed that on this date the new wine is ready for consumption, hence the saying: Il giorno di San Martino il mosto diventa vino or "On Saint Martin's Day the grape juice becomes wine".

The DOC wines from Sicilia are:
Alcamo  
Contea di Sclafani  
Contessa Entellina  
Delia Nivolelli  
Eloro  
Erice  
Etna  
Faro  
Malvasia delle Lipari  
Mamertino  
Marsala  
Menfi  
Monreale  
Moscato di Noto  
Moscato di Siracusa  
Pantelleria  
Riesi  
Sambuca di Sicilia  
Santa Margherita di Belice  
Sciacca 

Sicilia has only one DOCG called Cerasuolo di Vittoria.