Curated by Michele Edington, Certified Sommelier
Palermo gives you street food, old markets and golden stone in the city, then serious Catarratto, Perricone and Syrah growing in cooler hills just beyond it.
At a glance
Wine snapshot
Expect citrus peel, orange blossom, chamomile, wild herbs and a salty little edge in the whites, then cherry, violet, pepper, roots and Mediterranean herbs in the reds. Higher elevations around Monreale help preserve a beautiful amount of freshness alongside all that Sicilian sunshine.
Also worth a sip
This old Palermo drink starts with very cold water and just a few drops of intensely aromatic anise spirit, which turns the water cloudy and releases this huge licorice-and-anise perfume. It’s simple, strange and extremely Palermo.
Look for Tutone if you want the historic version. The Palermo family traces its Anice Unico back to 1813, and only a few drops are meant to go into the water. This is very much a “tiny amount, huge personality” situation.
Common questions
- What wine is Palermo known for?
- Expect citrus peel, orange blossom, chamomile, wild herbs and a salty little edge in the whites, then cherry, violet, pepper, roots and Mediterranean herbs in the reds. Higher elevations around Monreale help preserve a beautiful amount of freshness alongside all that Sicilian sunshine.
- What grapes are grown around Palermo?
- Catarratto, Perricone, Inzolia, Nero d’Avola, Syrah, Grillo.
- Why is Palermo a notable wine stop?
- Monreale DOC has been sharpening its identity. Updated production rules approved in 2024 put Catarratto at the heart of Monreale Bianco, Perricone at the heart of Monreale Rosso and Rosato, and give Syrah its own dedicated styles. That makes Palermo a really good place to taste grapes that feel specific to the part of Sicily you’re actually standing in.
- Is Palermo a wine destination?
- This old Palermo drink starts with very cold water and just a few drops of intensely aromatic anise spirit, which turns the water cloudy and releases this huge licorice-and-anise perfume. It’s simple, strange and extremely Palermo.
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Nearby winery
Duca di Salaparuta
Local label terms, decoded
Inside the Palermo guide
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