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Sicily

Sicily is the largest island in the Mediterranean, and, with its 329,000 vineyard acres, Italy’s largest wine region by acreage and the quantity of wine produced. Nevertheless, only 2.1% of all Sicilian wine is DOC, or wine made according to appellation standards. Until the 1970s Sicilian wine grapes either went to make Marsala, the sweet dessert wine introduced by 18th century British wine merchants, or to cooperatives that specialized in bulk wine production. But in 1968 Sicily was awarded its first DOC, which was the Etna DOC on the southern slopes of Mt. Etna, and today there are 19 DOCs. Along with the Maremma on Tuscany’s western coast, Sicily is considered the most exciting winemaking region in Italy. Longtime family agricultural estates are being turned into high quality commercial wineries, and because land prices are low compared to other parts of Italy, enterprising young winemakers and viticulturalists – many of whom practice organic and sustainable farming – have started wineries in Sicily. Marsala is still produced, and the Marsala business is one reason why 60% of Sicily’s vineyards are planted to Catarratto, the white grape used as a base for Marsala. But dry white wines are made from Inzolia, Malvasia, Zibbio and Chardonnay. But it is Sicily’s big, complex red wines that are grabbing the attention of wine enthusiasts. Nero d’Avola is Sicily’s most common red grape, and it produces rich, somewhat spicy wines. Other red grapes are Nerello Mascalese, Frappato and French varietals.

2014 Arianna Occhipinti Il Frappato

1.5ltr

4.5 cm ullage

WA  93   
JS  93   
WE  91   
VN  90+    
JR  16   

2015 Arianna Occhipinti Il Frappato

VN  94   
JS  94   
WE  90   

2015 Arianna Occhipinti Il Frappato

1.5ltr

5 cm ullage

VN  94   
JS  94   
WE  90   

2016 Arianna Occhipinti SP68 Nero d'Avola Frappato Sicilia

1.5ltr

Light capsule condition issue; 4.5 cm ullage

VN  93   
WE  92   

2016 Tenuta Enza La Fauci Maestro

1979 Duca Di Salaparuta Corvo Rosso Prima Goccia

Light capsule condition issue; signs of past seepage; top shoulder fill; heavy label condition issue

1990 Duca Di Salaparuta Duca Enrico Rosso

Light capsule condition issue; label condition issue

WS  90   
2 available
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2004 Cusumano Noa

2017 Masseria del Pino Etna Rosso I Nove Fratelli

Light label condition issue

2017 Morgante Nero d'Avola Don Antonio Riserva

Light capsule condition issue

2017 Morgante Nero d'Avola Don Antonio Riserva

2002 Carlo Hauner Cerasuolo di Vittoria

Light label condition issue

2002 Carlo Hauner Cerasuolo di Vittoria

Label condition issue

1997 Ceuso Custera

Very top shoulder fill; light label condition issue