Description
The Valle Belice PGI is reserved for the following types of wine: White, Red, Rosé and Novello. The Indication also incorporates numerous grape variety specifications.
Production Area
The production area of Valle Belice PGI is within the entire territory of the municipalities of Santa Margherita Belice, Montevago and Menfi in the Province of Agrigento, and Contessa Entellina in the Province of Palermo, in the Sicily region.
Description of product typologies
Valle Belice PGI Bianco, alone or with specification of grape variety, is straw-yellow, varying in intensity; the nose offers an ample spectrum of sensations ranging from white flowers to orange blossom and Lily of the Valley, and from fruit to Mediterranean scrub; it is intensely fruity on the palate, ranging from fresh to smooth, and is sapid and intense. It can also be produced as semi-sparkling wine. Valle Belice PGI Rosso, alone or with specification of grape variety, is ruby red; the nose is complex and fruity; it is structured and smooth on the palate, with robust tannins and good persistence. It can also be produced as semi-sparkling and Novello wine. Valle Belice PGI Rosato, alone or with specification of grape variety, is cherry pink; the nose reveals floral and fruity sensations; it is typical, characteristic and dry on the palate. It can also be produced as semi-sparkling wine.
Grape variety specifications
The Valle Belice PGI with the specification of one or two of the grape varieties suitable for cultivation in the Sicily region, is reserved for wines obtained from grapes originating from vineyards on the producer’s land made up of at least 85% of the corresponding varieties. A maximum of 15% of similarly-coloured unaromatic grapes originating from other grape varieties suitable for cultivation in the concerned area can be used, pure or combined, to produce the above-mentioned musts and wines. The Valle Belice PGI with specification of two grape varieties is reserved for wines (including Semi-Sparkling and Novello, only from red grape varieties) obtained from grapes from vineyards on the producer’s land made up of the corresponding varieties, on the condition that the wine derives exclusively from grapes produced by the two specified varieties; the quantity of grapes produced by each of the two varieties must in any case be greater than 15% of the total, and the grape variety specifications must appear on the label in descending order with respect to the actual percentage of grapes obtained from them. Valle Belice PGI wines with specification of one or two grape varieties can also be produced as semi-sparkling and Novello, the latter only from red grape varieties. Valle Belice PGI wines with specification of grape variety must display the organoleptic properties of the specified grape variety, as well as the specific characteristics indicated for wines of the same colour.