Wines from Sicily

Straw-yellow with greenish highlights. A fresh nose of yellow fruits and meadow herbs. On the palate, notes of citrus enveloped by a delicate acid wire and spice. The trendy white grape variety Grillo is simply a delight in the glass. The Sallier de la Tour estate has been owned by the Counts of Tasca since 2009 and is thus the fifth estate to complement and define the diversity and professionalism of what is arguably Sicily's most famous winery. At Sallier de la Tour, the focus is on the Grillo, Inzolia, Syrah and Nero d'Avola grape varieties. SUPERIORE.DE

I.P – two letters that mean a lot in the Marsala Codex: Italia Particolare, the traditional quality mark for Marsala, to which mosto cotto – cooked grape must – is added. It gives the wine its characteristic depth, its amber colour and that warm sweetness that is never overpowering. Pellegrino produces this Fine from Grillo, Catarratto and Inzolia, the classic triumvirate of grape varieties from western Sicily, and ages it in oak for at least twelve months. Not a vintage, not a Riserva, but an honest, everyday Marsala with genuine origins.

This single-varietal Grillo comes from vineyards near the coast around Marsala, whose salty soils and proximity to the sea lend the wine its fresh, mineral-driven character. Pale straw yellow with a greenish sheen. On the nose, it offers notes of white peach, star fruit, lemon zest and sage, with a hint of sea breeze. On the palate, it is dry, with lively acidity, crisp fruit and a salty edge. The finish is unpretentious, fresh and elegant. A typical Sicilian wine with lovely character – authentic, crisp and Mediterranean. Perfect with grilled fish, marinated seafood or summer vegetable dishes. SUPERIORE.DE

A Sicilian duo full of excitement: Angimbé blends Inzolia and Chardonnay to create a white cuvée that combines the island's aromatic character with international elegance. The grapes come from Tenuta Ficuzza at an altitude of around 700 m – a cooler terroir with loamy-limestone soils that lend freshness and structure. In the glass, it is a pale straw yellow with golden highlights. On the nose, it offers notes of yellow pear, pineapple, citrus, a hint of honeydew melon and floral notes. On the palate, it is juicy, round and well-balanced, with gentle acidity, delicate fruit sweetness and a harmonious, slightly spicy final. A versatile, approachable white wine that pairs just as effortlessly with Mediterranean cuisine as it does with relaxed evenings on the terrace. Very good value. SUPERIORE.DE

Pale yellow with a greenish tinge – even in the glass, Olli evokes a Sicilian summer breeze. This single-varietal Grillo comes from organic vineyards near Noto, where the vines are rooted in limestone-rich soil and cooled by the sea breeze. Citrus, white peach, a hint of sage and a touch of salty sea air – the bouquet is fresh and charming. On the palate, it is dry, lively and full of vibrant fruit, accompanied by delicate minerality and a pleasant finish. Ageing in stainless-steel tanks preserves its freshness and drinkability. An energetic wine with vigour and expressiveness right through to the finish, this crisp and balanced white made from the trendy Sicilian Grillo variety offers excellent value. SUPERIORE.DE

Sicily and rosé – that sounds like a beach bar and a sea view at first. Not here. Tenuta Regaleali is located in the heart of the island, on a wooded high plateau of the Contea di Sclafani, around 500 metres above sea level, far away from any coastline. Large temperature fluctuations between day and night, calcareous-clay soils, vines with a history. The Tasca d'Almerita family has been growing Nerello Mascalese here for this rosé since the 1970s – a grape variety that is unrivalled in Sicily: Delicately fruity, lively, with a natural floral fragrance that gave the wine its name. The roses that have always grown on Regaleali are the inspiration. Gentle pressing, fermentation in steel at 14°C, three months of ageing, fruit and freshness.

For over 190 years, the Tasca d'Almerita family has been running the Regaleali estate – deep in the heart of Sicily, on the hills between Palermo and Caltanissetta, where the island shows its true character: tart, warm, incorruptible. This white wine has been the flagship of the house for over 60 vintages – and it is something like the most honest business card that Sicily can issue. Inzolia, Catarratto, Grecanico – three indigenous grape varieties of the island, rounded off with a touch of Chardonnay – grow at the higher altitudes of the estate, where cooler nights sharpen the flavour and preserve the natural acidity. Matured in stainless steel, cool and precise, without wood, without distraction.

A delicate salmon pink with coppery highlights – a rosé that exudes Mediterranean elegance even in the glass. Made from Nero d'Avola (30-year-old vines) grown on the hillsides near Noto, where limestone soils and sea breezes lend the wine freshness and character. On the nose, redcurrant, sour cherry, a hint of hibiscus and subtle spice. On the palate, it is juicy, light-footed and with well-integrated acidity that combines freshness with drinkability. A Sicilian rosé with style and lightness – ideal for warm evenings, dreams of the sea and those little escapes from everyday life. SUPERIORE.DE

Regaleali Nero d'Avola is a classic among Sicilian red wines – has symbolised the signature style of Tenuta Tasca d'Almerita since the 1950s. The grapes come from clay and limestone soils at medium altitude, the climate is continental with strong day-night differences that give the grape variety freshness and clarity. A bright ruby red colour with violet reflections in the glass. The aroma is open and typical of the variety: red cherry, plum, a hint of black pepper, violets and a hint of sweet liquorice. Juicy and medium-bodied on the palate, with a gentle texture, soft tannins and balanced acidity. The fruit remains in the foreground, supported by a subtle spiciness and a fine mineral finish. SUPERIORE.DE

Finimondo – the "end of the world". This is what the Pellegrino family calls the wine that comes from the remote hinterland of Agrigento, where the vineyards are rooted between 250 and 600 metres above sea level in the terra grande, the loamy, silty soil that characterises Sicily's western tip. Since 1880, the name Pellegrino has stood for Marsala and Sicilian wine culture in its purest form – now in its seventh generation, with over 150 hectares of vineyards and a respect for the terroir that runs through every bottle. For the Finimondo, autochthonous grape varieties – mainly Nero d'Avola and Syrah – are vinified according to ancient tradition: After harvest, the grapes dry directly on the vine in the Sicilian sun by cutting off the shoots, concentrating sugar and flavours in a natural way. After a long maceration and controlled fermentation, the wine matures for four months in wooden barrels.

The name of this full-bodied, aromatic white wine comes from Arabic and means "lush garden on a breezy plateau". A deep straw-yellow colour with pale green hues. On the nose, notes of violet, elderflower, orange peel and apricot. On the palate, the bouquet blends with a rich medley of notes of apricot, pineapple and almonds. A very fruity Catarratto with substance. SUPERIORE.DE

Monte Gibele is the mountain that towers over Pantelleria – and which means so much to Carlo Pellegrino that they have dedicated a wine to it. The family has had deep roots in Marsala since 1880, steeped in the aromas of the western Sicilian coast, Lake Stagnone and the island of Pantelleria. The Gibelè is their aromatic statement: Sicily's first dry Zibibbo. Making a dry Zibibbo sounds simple but is a bold move. The grape variety is naturally explosively aromatic and tends towards opulence. When vinified in stainless steel, in a cool and clean environment, it retains its freshness and loses its heaviness.

Anthìlia is Donnafugata's "ancient white rock", named after the ancient town of Entella and a tribute to the roots of Contessa Entellina. Born as the first wine of the house, it is still a shining classic in the portfolio today. Pale yellow in colour with delicate greenish reflections. The nose reveals a lively basket of aromas of white peach and fine citrus notes, accompanied by fragrant wild flowers that combine lightness and freshness. Clear and juicy on the palate: pure fruit, a pleasant salty coolness and an elegant finish. Goes perfectly with raw fish, fried vegetables, vegetable tarts or mild cream cheese – a Mediterranean white wine that is an uncomplicated delight and enriches everyday life with style. SUPERIORE.DE

A Sicilian everyday red with a delicate soul: La Bella Sedàra is a harmonious blend of 90% Nero d'Avola and other grape varieties, grown on hilly, limestone-rich soils near Contessa Entellina. The terroir imbues the wine with warm fruit, a clear structure and a natural drinkability. A luminous ruby red with lively purple highlights. A fragrant bouquet of blackcurrant, cherry, a hint of tobacco and delicate minerality – as subtle as a whisper from the stone. On the palate, it is both fresh and round: soft tannins, ripe fruit and a smooth flow that leaves you longing for the next sip. Ageing in concrete tanks contributes to the fine texture and preserves the wine's freshness and varietal character. A fine red for every day. SUPERIORE.DE

The country dance (controdanza) is a traditional dance in which a man and a woman face each other and come together in graceful movements; depending on their gender, the dancers interpret the music in their own way. This wine is just the same: Nero d'Aola and Merlot – as we know, opposites attract, and with the right sensitivity, they can complement each other wonderfully, creating both harmony and contrast.

This is the sunny elegance of Sicily at its best: Terebinto is a single-varietal Grillo from the sustainably farmed Monte Cirami and Gurra vineyards near Menfi. The colour in the glass is a brilliant canary yellow, clear, lively and inviting. The aroma is typical, but loaded with precision and freshness: Pineapple, white melon rind, Granny Smith apple, chunky rice grains and prickly pear. Fresh, energetic and finely structured on the palate – vibrant acidity meets lush but clear fruit. The minerality remains present, balanced and deep, especially due to the altitude and the cool influence of the nearby sea. Ideal with fine seafood dishes, green antipasti or simply on its own, Terebinto is a modern classic from Menfi. SUPERIORE.DE

A hint of morning freshness: Al Qasar is the lighter side of Zibibbo, dry, elegant and designed for subtlety. Yellow in colour with a delicate golden shimmer in the glass. The nose opens with charming aromas of orange blossom, peach skin and a hint of elderflower. On the palate, it is clear and fragrant, with lively acidity, a creamy fruit centre and a floral finish that ends in svelteharmony. Al Qasar is an uncomplicated, yet characterful Zibibbo – ideal as an aperitif, with light antipasti or a fine fritto di mare. Elegant, dry and extremely charming. SUPERIORE.DE

"Cerasa" – means ‘cherry’ in the Sicilian dialect. And it has not only given this wine its name, but also its colour and character. Cerasuolo di Vittoria is Sicily’s only DOCG – the highest distinction that Italy’s appellation hierarchy can bestow, and one that has designated this area between the sea and the Iblean Mountains in the south-east of the island as exceptional since 2005. The vines are planted at Tenuta Dorilli, named after the nearby River Dirillo, on loose red sand with a layer of tuff 90 centimetres deep – —a soil profile that regulates the vines’ water supply in Vittoria and explains the characteristic freshness of these wines. Nero d’Avola brings body and dark fruit. Frappato – genetically related to Sangiovese – , brings floral notes, strawberry and lightness. Both are organically grown and hand-harvested.

A white wine made from a red grape variety – and what a wine it is. The Bianco di Morgante is a Sicilian rarity: Nero d'Avola, pressed in white. The Morgante family has broken new ground with this wine, which also reflects the terroir of their home Grotte in the hinterland of Agrigento – barren limestone soils, intense hours of sunshine, Mediterranean breezes. In the glass, the Bianco has a light straw yellow colour with silvery reflections. The nose surprises with a vibrant aroma of lemon zest, green pear, white peach skin and a hint of broom blossom. Elegant and straightforward on the palate: cool citrus fruit, fine salty notes, precise acidity and a dry, very clear finish.

This powerful blend of Nero d'Avola and Syrah comes from Tenuta Presti e Pegni in Monreale and impressively demonstrates the versatility of Sicilian winemaking. The vineyards thrive at an altitude of 250 metres in the hills behind Palermo, where loamy soils and the Mediterranean microclimate create ideal conditions for international grape varieties. Just ten kilometres from the coast, the vines benefit from the cooling sea breeze, which tempers the heat of the day and ensures balanced ripening. The name Benuara is derived from a small flower that grows near Syracuse – a poetic reference to the southernmost regions of Sicily.

Dry Moscato from the Noto coast – unusual, but all the stronger in character. Allemanda comes from the south of Sicily, where the calcareous, sandy soils of Tenuta Buonivini and the Mediterranean climate create a unique terroir for aromatic grape varieties. Maturation in stainless steel tanks emphasises the purity and finesse of this rarely dry Muscat variety. Pale straw yellow in the glass with silver reflections. The aroma is clear and animating: lychee, white peach, lemon balm, wild flowers and a hint of nutmeg. Lively and dry on the palate, with a lean structure, well-integrated acidity and a delicate, almost salty finish. No opulence, but precise flavours with a fine spiciness. Allemanda shows that Moscato in the right location can also be a fragrant, elegant white wine. Ideal with summer cuisine, ceviche or marinated fennel with citrus. An original wine for explorers. SUPERIORE.DE

A fragrant wine from the hot south: Alastro, named after the wild flowers that grow around Cantina Ulmo, combines the Mediterranean clarity of Grecanico with the aromatic freshness of Sauvignon Blanc. In the glass, it is a delicate straw yellow with silvery highlights. The nose opens with mandarin, white peach, lychee and a hint of yellow blossoms. On the palate, it is elegant and silky, with a smooth texture, a distinct fruit profile and a lively, balanced acidity. The yeast ageing lends the wine additional depth and finesse without detracting from its freshness. Alastro is a charming white wine for modern connoisseurs – aromatic, precise and multi-faceted. It pairs perfectly with cold pasta with summer vegetables, courgette carpaccio or grilled fish. SUPERIORE.DE