The Etna wine region in Sicily is on its way to recognition as a Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita (DOCG), a prestigious designation in Italy. DOC Etna, established in 1968, is the oldest DOC in Sicily and one of the first DOCs in Italy. It is known for its unique ecosystem and terroir-influenced wines made from indigenous varieties such as Nerello Mascalese, Nerello Cappuccio and Carricante.
The last 20 years have seen a steady increase in the number of vineyards, producers and volumes of wine produced in Etna, reflecting the growing interest in its wines. According to the Consorzio Tutela Vini Etna DOC, in 2022 there were 1,290.82 hectares of vineyards, with 442 producers and a production of 43,651.09 hectoliters, equivalent to 5,820,145 bottles.
The changes planned for the future DOCG include modifications to the production specifications. In the spumante category, for example, the Carricante variety will be added to the existing Nerello Mascalese, and production of Pas Dosé style will be allowed. It is also contemplated to limit the yield of Etna Rosso of a specific contrada, to increase the number of contrade from the current 133 and to introduce the possibility of indicating the name of one of the 20 municipalities on the label if the grapes come entirely from that territory.
The process to obtain DOCG recognition involves several stages of applications and reviews, which are expected to take approximately two years. If completed in a reasonable time, Etna would become Sicily’s second DOCG, after Cerasuolo di Vittoria.
The Etna region is characterized by its volcanic soil, located on the slopes of Mount Etna, one of the most active volcanoes in Europe. This volcanic terroir brings unique mineral qualities to the wines. Etna is one of the highest wine regions in Europe, with vineyards located between 600 and 1,000 meters above sea level, which, together with the volcanic influence, provides a cool climate that favors the slow ripening of the grapes, resulting in complex and elegant wines.
