Regional Institute of Wine and Oil

Decree 1733 of 08/09/2019

9 NEW VARIETIES OF VINEYARDS AUTHORIZED IN SICILY

Please be informed that with DDG n. 1733 of 08/09/2019 9 new vine varieties for wine grapes have been authorized for cultivation in the territory of the Sicilian Region, of which 3 (Merlese N.; Marselan Neither PrimitiveN.)

on the proposal of IRVO whose Research and Experimentation and Innovation Transfer unit conducted the planned three-year experimentation in the experimental fields and in the microvinification cellar of the Institute.

These are three vines whose grapes are characterized by a good content of anthocyanins and tannins and which will therefore be able to contribute to improving the longevity of Sicilian wines. In particular, Merlese is a Sangiovese x Merlot cross, created in 1983 by professor Cesare Intrieri of the DCA of the University of Bologna; this variety has achieved excellent results in Sicily in terms of adaptive plasticity, has shown good production and quality consistency and a high sugar accumulation capacity with the maintenance of good acidity.

The other 6 varieties (Inzolia N.; Lucignola N.; Orisi N.; Recunnu B.; Usirioto N.; Vitrarol N.) are “ancient” vines and were authorized on the proposal of the “F. Paulsen” and specialized Vitivinicultural Unit, following their registration in the National Register of Vine Varieties, as part of the Project for the Recovery and Enhancement of Sicilian Native Vines conducted by the Department of Agriculture, Rural Development and Mediterranean Fisheries of the Sicilian Region.

The number of wine grape varieties authorized in the Sicilian Region thus rises to 70.

Below is the complete list of these varieties (link)