The Menfi PDO is reserved for the following typologies of wine: White, White Superiore, Red, Red Reserve, Rosé, White Spumante, Spumante Rosé, White Passito, Red Passito, White Late Harvest. The Designation also incorporates numerous grape variety specifications.
Production Area
The production area of Menfi PDO is within the entire territory of the Municipality of Menfi; in parts of the municipalities of Sciacca and Sambuca di Sicilia in the Province of Agrigento; in parts of the Municipality of Castelvetrano in the Province of Trapani, in the Sicily region.
Blends
White (incl. Late Harvest, Passito and Superiore), Spumante Bianco: min. 60% Inzolia, Grecanico, Chardonnay, Catarratto, Grillo, individually or together; the addition of other white grape varieties suitable for cultivation in the concerned area, max. 40%, is permitted. Red (incl. Riserva, Rosé and Passito): min. 60% Perricone, Merlot, Nerello Mascalese, Alicante, Alicante Bouchet, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, individually or together; the addition of other black grape varieties suitable for cultivation in the concerned area, max. 40%, is permitted. Spumante Rosè: min. 85% Nerello Mascalese, Nero d’Avola, Pinot Nero and Frappato, pure or combined; a maximum of 15% of other grape berries similar in colour and originating from other grape varieties suitable for cultivation in the concerned area may be used.
Description of product typologies
Menfi PDO Bianco is pale straw-yellow in colour, varying in intensity; the nose is delicate, with aromas of fruit and wild flowers; it is dry and balanced, with the fragrances of the nose returning with a smooth flavour on the palate. Superiore can be displayed if the wine undergoes a minimum maturation period of 12 months, commencing from November of the year in which the grapes were produced. Menfi PDO Rosso has an intense ruby-red colour, varying in intensity, tending towards garnet with aging; the nose is immediately elegant with an excellent balance between fruitiness and spiciness; it is dry, sapid and moderately tannic on the palate, with good structure. It can display Riserva on the label if the wine has undergone a minimum maturing period of 2 years, commencing November 1st of the year following that in which the grapes were produced. Menfi PDO Passito Bianco ranges from straw to golden yellow in colour; the nose in delicate and persistent; in the typologies ranging from Dry to Sweet it is harmonious on the palate. Menfi PDO Passito Rosso is ruby red in colour, tending towards garnet with aging; the nose in delicate and persistent; in the typologies ranging from Dry to Sweet it is harmonious on the palate. Menfi PDO Rosato has a golden pink colour, varying in intensity; it is delicate on the nose; the palate is fresh and harmonious. Menfi PDO Spumante Bianco is straw yellow in colour, varying in intensity, with an elegant and persistent perlage; the nose is elegant and characteristic; it is fresh and harmonious on the palate in both the Extra-brut and sweet versions. Menfi PDO Spumante Rosato is pink in colour, varying in intensity, with a persistent perlage; the nose is fragrant and delicate; it is fresh and harmonious on the palate and ranges from Extra Brut to Demi-sec. Menfi PDO Vendemmia Tardiva Bianco is straw-yellow in colour tending towards garnet; the nose is delicate and persistent; in the typologies ranging from Dry to Sweet it is harmonious on the palate.
Grape variety specifications
The Menfi PDO may display the specifications of the following grape varieties. From white grape varieties: min. 85% Chardonnay, Grecanico, Inzolia, Grillo, Catarratto, Fiano, Damaschino, Viognier, Sauvignon, Pinot Grigio, Vermentino, Chenin Blanc, Moscato Bianco, pure or with the addition of grape berries similar in colour and originating from other grape varieties suitable for cultivation in the concerned area, max. 15%. From red grape varieties (incl. Riserva, Rosé and Passito): min. 85% Nero d’Avola, Syrah, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Perricone, Frappato, Nerello Mascalese, Cabernet Franc, Pinot Nero, Alicante Bouchet, Alicante, Petit Verdot, Aglianico, pure or with the addition of grape berries similar in colour and originating from other grape varieties suitable for cultivation in the concerned area, max. 15%. The characteristics of the colour, fragrances and flavour of each specification are those typical of the grape variety and terroir of origin.
