August
18, 2005
Sicilia
Gets First DOCG
Sicila is expected
to produce its first DOCG wine by the summer of 2006: Cerasuolo
di Vittoria and Cerasuolo di Vittoria Classico (DOCG or Denominazione
d'origine controllata e garantita is the Italian appellation
system's highest ranking, Appellation of Controlled and Guaranteed
Origin). Named after the township where it is produced (Vittoria),
Cerasuolo di Vittoria is made from Nero d'Avola (50-70%) and
Frappato (30-50%) grown exclusively in the township (cerasuolo,
meaning "cherry" in ancient Italian, is used traditionally
to denote wines from Southern Italy and the Adriatic coast
that are light in color). For the DOCG, Cerasuolo di Vittoria
can be released only after three months of bottle aging and
no earlier than June 1; Cerasuolo di Vittoria Classico must
be aged for a minimum of eight months in bottle and cannot
be released until March 31 of the year following vinification.
Sicilia produces more wine than any other region in Italy
but had yet to obtain a DOCG (and has a disproportionately
low number of DOCs). Barring any unforeseen bureaucratic
barriers, Vittoria will also launch five new DOCs in 2006:
Rosso di Vittoria, Inzolia, Frappato, Nero d'Avola, and
Novello.
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