DOC · Sicilia
Riesi
Riesi DOC (Sicilia) at a glance: 14 recorded wine types, with the main requirements from the official production specification. Listed types include Riesi Bianco and Riesi Cabernet Sauvignon. The technical sections cover grape yields, minimum maturation, market-release rules for the relevant wine types.
✓ Verified· September 2026
Production rules at a glance
Quick overview of the key requirements. Values and conditions can vary by wine type: consult the detailed rules and official source.
RegionSiciliaProvinceCaltanissetta
Wine typesRiesi Bianco, Riesi Cabernet Sauvignon, Riesi Chardonnay, Riesi Insolia, Riesi Merlot, Riesi Nero d’Avola, Riesi Novello, Riesi Rosato, Riesi Rosso, Riesi Spumante, Riesi Superiore, Riesi Superiore Riserva, Riesi Syrah, Riesi Vendemmia Tardiva
Grape varieties / compositionVaries by wine type: see the comparison below
Maximum grape yield13 t/haMaximum wine yield91 hl/ha
Minimum planting density3,200 vines/haMinimum alcoholic strength11% vol
Ageing—Minimum ageing in wood—
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Quick comparison within the appellation
ParameterRiesi BiancoRiesi Cabernet SauvignonΔ vs A
ColourWhiteRed—
Grape varieties—Cabernet sauvignon 85–100%—
Maximum grape yield13 t/ha10 t/ha-3 t/ha (-23.1%)
Maximum wine yield91 hl/ha70 hl/ha-21 hl/ha (-23.1%)
Minimum planting density3,200 vines/ha4,000 vines/ha+800 vines/ha (+25%)
Ageing———
Minimum ageing in wood———
Minimum alcoholic strength11% vol12% vol+1% vol (+9.1%)
Minimum total acidity4.5 g/l5 g/l+0.5 g/l (+11.1%)
Minimum sugar-free extract16 g/l22 g/l+6 g/l (+37.5%)
Release for consumptionvintage + 1 yearsvintage + 1 years0 years (0%)
ARiesi BiancoBRiesi Cabernet Sauvignon
Colour
AWhite
BRed
Δ vs A—
Grape varieties
A—
BCabernet sauvignon 85–100%
Δ vs A—
Maximum grape yield
A13 t/ha
B10 t/ha
Δ vs A-3 t/ha (-23.1%)
Maximum wine yield
A91 hl/ha
B70 hl/ha
Δ vs A-21 hl/ha (-23.1%)
Minimum planting density
A3,200 vines/ha
B4,000 vines/ha
Δ vs A+800 vines/ha (+25%)
Ageing
A—
B—
Δ vs A—
Minimum ageing in wood
A—
B—
Δ vs A—
Minimum alcoholic strength
A11% vol
B12% vol
Δ vs A+1% vol (+9.1%)
Minimum total acidity
A4.5 g/l
B5 g/l
Δ vs A+0.5 g/l (+11.1%)
Minimum sugar-free extract
A16 g/l
B22 g/l
Δ vs A+6 g/l (+37.5%)
Release for consumption
Avintage + 1 years
Bvintage + 1 years
Δ vs A0 years (0%)
TOOLS
Appellation calculators
Vineyard area and production, grape-to-wine yield, release for consumption and latest marketable vintage.
Common questions
When can Riesi wine be released for sale?
The permitted release depends on the rules for the specific wine type and, where required, its vintage. Check the official specification and the calculator where applicable.
TECHNICAL DATA
Structured data by wine type
Data by wine type
Numeric values come from the shared structured database. Official names, geographical names and regulatory wording are kept in Italian where appropriate.
Riesi Bianco
Grape composition—
Viticulture
RuleYieldPlanting densityNatural alcoholOfficial condition (IT)
Wine type13 t/ha3,200 vines/ha10.5%—
Winemaking
StageGrape-to-wine yieldMaximum wine yieldOfficial rule / area (IT)
Finished wine70%91 hl/haPratiche previste dal disciplinare.
Ageing
TypeTotalWoodBottle / lees
Release for consumption———
Characteristics at release
ColourMinimum alcoholic strengthMinimum total acidityMinimum sugar-free extract
paglierino più o meno intenso talvolta con riflessi verdognoli11% vol4.5 g/l16 g/l
Riesi Cabernet Sauvignon
Grape compositionCabernet sauvignon 85–100%
Viticulture
RuleYieldPlanting densityNatural alcoholOfficial condition (IT)
Wine type10 t/ha4,000 vines/ha12%—
Winemaking
StageGrape-to-wine yieldMaximum wine yieldOfficial rule / area (IT)
Finished wine70%70 hl/haPratiche previste dal disciplinare.
Ageing
TypeTotalWoodBottle / lees
Release for consumption———
Characteristics at release
ColourMinimum alcoholic strengthMinimum total acidityMinimum sugar-free extract
rosso rubino intenso12% vol5 g/l22 g/l
Riesi Chardonnay
Grape compositionChardonnay 85–100%
Viticulture
RuleYieldPlanting densityNatural alcoholOfficial condition (IT)
Wine type10 t/ha3,200 vines/ha11.5%—
Winemaking
StageGrape-to-wine yieldMaximum wine yieldOfficial rule / area (IT)
Finished wine70%70 hl/haPratiche previste dal disciplinare.
Ageing
TypeTotalWoodBottle / lees
Release for consumption———
Characteristics at release
ColourMinimum alcoholic strengthMinimum total acidityMinimum sugar-free extract
giallo paglierino con riflessi dorati11.5% vol4.5 g/l15 g/l
Riesi Insolia
Grape compositionANSONICA 85–100%
Viticulture
RuleYieldPlanting densityNatural alcoholOfficial condition (IT)
Wine type11 t/ha3,200 vines/ha11%—
Winemaking
StageGrape-to-wine yieldMaximum wine yieldOfficial rule / area (IT)
Finished wine70%77 hl/haPratiche previste dal disciplinare.
Ageing
TypeTotalWoodBottle / lees
Release for consumption———
Characteristics at release
ColourMinimum alcoholic strengthMinimum total acidityMinimum sugar-free extract
giallo paglierino11% vol4.5 g/l15 g/l
Riesi Merlot
Grape compositionMerlot 85–100%
Viticulture
RuleYieldPlanting densityNatural alcoholOfficial condition (IT)
Wine type10 t/ha4,000 vines/ha12%—
Winemaking
StageGrape-to-wine yieldMaximum wine yieldOfficial rule / area (IT)
Finished wine70%70 hl/haPratiche previste dal disciplinare.
Ageing
TypeTotalWoodBottle / lees
Release for consumption———
Characteristics at release
ColourMinimum alcoholic strengthMinimum total acidityMinimum sugar-free extract
rosso rubino intenso12% vol4.5 g/l20 g/l
Riesi Nero d’Avola
Grape compositionCALABRESE 85–100%
Viticulture
RuleYieldPlanting densityNatural alcoholOfficial condition (IT)
Wine type10 t/ha4,000 vines/ha11.5%—
Winemaking
StageGrape-to-wine yieldMaximum wine yieldOfficial rule / area (IT)
Finished wine70%70 hl/haPratiche previste dal disciplinare.
Ageing
TypeTotalWoodBottle / lees
Release for consumption———
Characteristics at release
ColourMinimum alcoholic strengthMinimum total acidityMinimum sugar-free extract
rosso rubino intenso11.5% vol5 g/l22 g/l
Riesi Novello
Grape composition—
Viticulture
RuleYieldPlanting densityNatural alcoholOfficial condition (IT)
Wine type11 t/ha4,000 vines/ha11%Novello derivato dal tipo Rosso.
Winemaking
StageGrape-to-wine yieldMaximum wine yieldOfficial rule / area (IT)
Finished wine70%77 hl/haMacerazione carbonica di almeno il 40% delle uve.
Characteristics at release
ColourMinimum alcoholic strengthMinimum total acidityMinimum sugar-free extract
rosso rubino più o meno intenso, talvolta con riflessi violacei11.5% vol5 g/l20 g/l
Riesi Rosato
Grape compositionCALABRESE 50–75%
Viticulture
RuleYieldPlanting densityNatural alcoholOfficial condition (IT)
Wine type12 t/ha4,000 vines/ha10.5%—
Winemaking
StageGrape-to-wine yieldMaximum wine yieldOfficial rule / area (IT)
Finished wine70%84 hl/haVinificazione in rosato o coacervo di uve rosse e bianche anche ammostate separatamente.
Ageing
TypeTotalWoodBottle / lees
Release for consumption———
Characteristics at release
ColourMinimum alcoholic strengthMinimum total acidityMinimum sugar-free extract
rosato più o meno intenso11% vol4.5 g/l18 g/l
Riesi Rosso
Grape composition—
Viticulture
RuleYieldPlanting densityNatural alcoholOfficial condition (IT)
Wine type11 t/ha4,000 vines/ha11%—
Winemaking
StageGrape-to-wine yieldMaximum wine yieldOfficial rule / area (IT)
Finished wine70%77 hl/haPratiche previste dal disciplinare.
Ageing
TypeTotalWoodBottle / lees
Ageing4 months——
Minimum total 4 months: 0 months are assigned to a specific minimum stage; the remaining 4 months form part of the overall period without a specified minimum stage.
Characteristics at release
ColourMinimum alcoholic strengthMinimum total acidityMinimum sugar-free extract
rosso rubino più o meno intenso con eventuali riflessi granato11.5% vol4.5 g/l20 g/l
Riesi Spumante
Grape composition—
Viticulture
RuleYieldPlanting densityNatural alcoholOfficial condition (IT)
Wine type13 t/ha3,200 vines/ha10.5%Uvaggio del Bianco.
Winemaking
StageGrape-to-wine yieldMaximum wine yieldOfficial rule / area (IT)
Finished wine70%91 hl/haElaborazione spumante secondo normativa vigente.
Characteristics at release
ColourMinimum alcoholic strengthMinimum total acidityMinimum sugar-free extract
paglierino più o meno intenso10.5% vol5 g/l16 g/l
Riesi Superiore
Grape compositionCALABRESE 85–100%
Viticulture
RuleYieldPlanting densityNatural alcoholOfficial condition (IT)
Wine type9 t/ha4,000 vines/ha12.5%—
Winemaking
StageGrape-to-wine yieldMaximum wine yieldOfficial rule / area (IT)
Finished wine70%63 hl/haInvecchiamento obbligatorio.
Ageing
TypeTotalWoodBottle / lees
Ageing24 months6 months—
Minimum total 24 months: 6 months are assigned to a specific minimum stage; the remaining 18 months form part of the overall period without a specified minimum stage.
Characteristics at release
ColourMinimum alcoholic strengthMinimum total acidityMinimum sugar-free extract
rosso rubino intenso tendente al granato13% vol5 g/l26 g/l
Riesi Superiore Riserva
Grape compositionCALABRESE 85–100%
Viticulture
RuleYieldPlanting densityNatural alcoholOfficial condition (IT)
Wine type9 t/ha4,000 vines/ha13%—
Winemaking
StageGrape-to-wine yieldMaximum wine yieldOfficial rule / area (IT)
Finished wine70%63 hl/haInvecchiamento obbligatorio.
Ageing
TypeTotalWoodBottle / lees
Ageing36 months12 months6 months in bottle
Minimum total 36 months: 18 months are assigned to a specific minimum stage; the remaining 18 months form part of the overall period without a specified minimum stage.
Characteristics at release
ColourMinimum alcoholic strengthMinimum total acidityMinimum sugar-free extract
rosso rubino intenso tendente al granato13% vol5 g/l26 g/l
Riesi Syrah
Grape compositionSyrah 85–100%
Viticulture
RuleYieldPlanting densityNatural alcoholOfficial condition (IT)
Wine type10 t/ha4,000 vines/ha12%—
Winemaking
StageGrape-to-wine yieldMaximum wine yieldOfficial rule / area (IT)
Finished wine70%70 hl/haPratiche previste dal disciplinare.
Ageing
TypeTotalWoodBottle / lees
Release for consumption———
Characteristics at release
ColourMinimum alcoholic strengthMinimum total acidityMinimum sugar-free extract
rubino più o meno intenso12% vol4.5 g/l20 g/l
Riesi Vendemmia Tardiva
Grape composition—
Viticulture
RuleYieldPlanting densityNatural alcoholOfficial condition (IT)
Wine type7 t/ha3,200 vines/ha13.5%Uve appassite sulla pianta; raccolta non prima del 10 ottobre.
Winemaking
StageGrape-to-wine yieldMaximum wine yieldOfficial rule / area (IT)
Finished wine60%42 hl/haAppassimento sulla pianta; raccolta non prima del 10 ottobre.
Ageing
TypeTotalWoodBottle / lees
Release for consumption———
Characteristics at release
ColourMinimum alcoholic strengthMinimum total acidityMinimum sugar-free extract
giallo intenso, tendente all’ambrato18% vol4.5 g/l20 g/l
Municipalities / permitted area
Zona di produzione RiesiOfficial Italian wording
Articolo 3 Zona di produzione delle uve La zona di produzione delle uve atte alla produzione dei vini a denominazione d’origine controllata “RIESI” ricade nella Provincia di Caltanissetta e comprende l’intero territorio amministrativo dei comuni di Butera, Riesi e Mazzarino.
Art. 3Official source
Official product specification · Riesi