Erice

The Protected Designation of Origin "Erice"; identifies white wines, red wines (also riserva), spumanti e passiti. There are also different types with indications of grape variety: Ansonica or Inzolia, Catarratto, Grecanico, Grillo, Chardonnay, Muller Thurgau, Sauvignon, Vendemmia Tardiva Zibibbo, Vendemmia Tardiva Sauvignon, Moscato, Spumante, Calabrese or Nero d'Avola, Frappato, Perricone or Pignatello, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah and Merlot.

Grapes

Bianco Erice is produced from at least 60% of the grapes coming from the Catarratto vine, while Rosso is made from 60% of Calabrese or Nero d'Avola grapes. For the Passito, the Spumante dolce and the Vendemmia Tardiva Zibibbo, on the other hand, 95% Moscato di Alessandria or Zibibbo is used. Similar quotas are foreseen for the same Moscato di Alessandria in the production of Moscato and for Sauvignon Bianco in the production of Vendemmia Tradiva Sauvignon. Spumante brut, on the other hand, is made from 70% Chardonnay grapes. Finally, in other wines with an indication of grape variety, this must represent 85% of the total grapes. In all types, to complete the missing quotas, can be used other similar berry varieties, grown in Sicilia 

Physicochemical and Organoleptic properties

The white wine (minimum total alcoholic strength by volume 12% vol) is straw yellow, embellished with greenish reflections, the smell is delicate and fragrant, combined with a dry, harmonious and lively. In the Spumante variant (12% vol) it is enriched by a fine and persistent foam, and by an aromatic and characteristic smell in the sweet version, while in the brut it has a delicate scent of yeast; the taste is aromatic and harmonious in the first case, fresh in the second. The red wine (12,5% vol), however, is an intense ruby, with a characteristic smell (more complex in the Riserva) and dry taste and moderately tannic. Then there are the passito and the productions with indication of vine, that stand out for the peculiarities that come from the grapes and that are punctually described in the disciplinary. 

Grape production area

The production area includes the entire province of Trapani. 

Specificity and historical notes

The name Erice is an expression of the socio-political superiority that the town of the same name has always exercised over the surrounding territory.