(Thanks to Jukkie)

The wine of Sicily sinks its own roots in Greek age, when the Greek colony, that were settled down to Naxos, decided to dedicate itself to the cultivation of the screw in a professional way. The Fenicians, skillful merchants, made of it one of the ir most important products to exchange trades. The climatic conditions of Sicily facilitate the cultivation of the grape:

• Mild temperature
  
• Sun

There are more than 150.000 hectares of land cultivates to wineyards where do Sicily wine tours: 77% cultivate to white grapes concentrate in the zones of Trapani, Agrigento and Palermo; and the remaining 23% cultivated to red grapes in the zones of the east coast

Today the Sicily can boast many wines D.O.C (Controlled denomination of origin), wines I.G.T (Typical Geographic Indication), and D.O.C.G. (Controlled and guaranteed denomination of origin).

The wine of the Etna has been the first sicilian wine to obtain the acknowledgment of the controlled denomination of origin. In particular, it is produced on the low side of the volcano. Here can be found the best wineyards.

Their main characteristic is the volcanic land that exalts the wines qualities qualities. Milo, Linguaglossa, Castiglione of Sicily and Santa Venerina are the  most important commons where is produced the Etna red wine. 

These conserve a long wine tradition and passion. It is the case, as an example, of the city of Milo where there is the important agricultural land of the Baron of Villagrande, that  boasts the first Merlot of Sicily and that produces the red wine of the Etna from 1727.

Their red D.O.C is obtained from the Nerello Mascalese and from the Mantellato. Near Castiglione of Sicily, and in particular in the contrada of Torrepalino, we find the Cooperative Patria of Torrepalino, which produces optimal wines that have always received positive consents by the Vinitaly (the most important italian wine bureau).

Their wines are produced from grapes of Nerello Mascalese and Cappuccio. Their most important wine, the red Allegracuore, was a lot appreciated by the Pope John Paul II.

There are also the other countries that  produce optimal Etna D.O.C, like Viagrande and Zafferana. Beyond the wineyards of Nero Mascalese, Mantellato and Cappuccio, we find those of Carricante and Cataratto for the white wine, and approaching  towards Randazzo we can find the famous Alicante of Spanish origin.

About the Etna D.O.C's versions do not exist only Red and  White, but also White Superior and Rosato. The version Advanced White, produces with l'80% of grapes Carricante and 20% of Cataratto common white.