Alcamo

Styles

Principal grape varieties

Terroir

• The agricultural soils can be divided into three broad zones, one of which has a loamy texture with a high proportion of calcareous gravel and includes the classic 'red soils' (terre rosse) in the area of Castellammare del Golfo.
• A second zone, covering much of the territory, consists of less structured and more permeable regosols, where the flatter areas contain extensive formations of 'black soils' (terre nere) among the most fertile soils on the island.
• A third zone, of limited extent, displays soils developed within the gaseous formations of the Sicilian gypsum-sulphur series; these soils are shallow, with a neutral to sub-alkaline reaction, sometimes tending toward clayey textures, and are poor in nutrients.
• The climatic conditions are those of the northern coastal zone of the island, with mild temperatures and rainfall concentrated in the autumn–winter period, averaging 700 mm per year.
• The area's moderate elevation results in a more even distribution of rainfall and a more consistent diurnal temperature range, which positively influences the processes of flowering, fruit set, and grape ripening.
• The zone is particularly exposed to winds such as the maestrale, the tramontana, and, in the spring–summer period, the scirocco, though the rugged nature of the terrain moderates the impact of this adverse atmospheric condition.

• The wine Bianco di Alcamo appeared as early as 1856 on the list of fine table wines and in 1887 was awarded an honorary diploma at the Venice Wine Fair.

• A Riserva style exists for more full-bodied red wines obtained from grapes with a higher minimum natural alcoholic strength and subjected to ageing of not less than two years.
• All the wines display well-balanced physicochemical characteristics and pleasant, harmonious, distinctive, and elegant aromas, with possible fruity, floral, and herbaceous notes typical of the base varieties.

Facts drawn from the specification's terroir-link section by automatic interpretation — see the source.

All appellations in Italy

Sources

• eAmbrosia register (EU) — File number PDO-IT-A0774
• Official trade body site — Assovini Sicilia