Your cellar, your trips, and the wines you've been tracking are right where you left them.
New here?
Free, always. Education first, we'll never sell you anything you didn't ask to see.
Already have an account?
Enter the email you signed up with and we'll send a link to choose a new password.
White Grape · Sicily
Widespread in western Sicily, the indigenous Grillo (GREE-loh) grape is a key component in the production of Marsala wines. When vinified in purity, it can produce very interesting white wines with good acidity, high alcohol and balanced softness. White wines do not usually age well, however Grillo is able to age up to five years. This grape's ascent to prominence is a narrative that resonates with those who seek not just a drink, but an experience steeped in culture and history. And whether savored in the bustling streets of London or amidst the tranquility of the countryside, Grillo offers a sip of Sicilian sunshine, promising a journey of discovery with every glass.
Taste · Where it sits
Forget scores out of five. Here’s Grillo described against grapes you already know.
Key flavours
The map
Grillo is medium-bodied, very soft tannin, mapped against other white grapes you can buy. The closer a grape sits, the more its weight and grip resemble Grillo.
Serving guide
Serve at
10-12°C
Decant
No
Glass
Chardonnay Glass
Drink within
3-5 days
Cellar
Up to 5 years
On the table
Start with the home-table matches that made the grape, then browse the full cuisine library.
Browse every pairing
Buy it · three to start with
A curated trio across the price range, then every Grillo on sale in the UK right now.
12 of 17 bottles
3 retailers
Sicilia
3 retailers
£13.86
2 retailers
Appellation TBD
2 retailers
£9.85
2 retailers
Sicilia
2 retailers
£14.07
2 retailers
Menfi
2 retailers
£18.11
2 retailers
Sicilia
2 retailers
£27.50
1 retailer
Appellation TBD
1 retailer
£8.61
£9.90
1 retailer
Sicilia
1 retailer
£10.68
1 retailer
Appellation TBD
1 retailer
£11.47
1 retailer
Appellation TBD
1 retailer
£9.72
£11.82
1 retailer
Sicilia
1 retailer
£10.74
£12.48
1 retailer
Santa Margherita di Belice
1 retailer
£12.75
1 retailer
Appellation TBD
1 retailer
£15.42
£17.07
Denominations
The appellations where Grillo plays a starring role.
Where it grows
Volcanic Nerello on Etna's black terraces, sun-baked Nero d'Avola on the south-east coast, fortified Marsala in Trapani and UNESCO Zibibbo on Pantelleria: Sicily holds Italy's widest single-region wine map.
Editorial
Grillo grapes can be vinified in purity or in blend, and can make still or sparkling wines. Such wines are characterised by heterogeneous aromas. They are soft and warm in the mouth, a great companion for all fish preparations.
Grillo plays a key role in the Marsala Oro and Ambra blends, creating rich and complex fortified wines with a centuries-old tradition that can be dry, semi-dry,sweet and has a good longevity.
The best example is probably the Sambuca di Sicilia Passito, from the province of Agrigento, produced from a blend of Ansonica and Grillo. The passito versions show intense aromas of dried fruit and a warm and sweet taste.
It is said that Grillo originated in Puglia, and was brought to Sicily after the invasion of phylloxera, an insect that destroys grapevines by ruining their roots. Initially present in the Marsala area, Grillo grapes quickly spread all over the island, thanks to their suitability to the hot Sicilian climate. Recent studies have shown that this vine fruit is likely to have resulted from a blend between Catarratto and Zibibbo.
For decades, Grillo had a poor reputation as a blending wine, but today the picture is radically different and this grape variety is experiencing a new popularity. This has been favoured by modern winemaking techniques, that allow the wine to maintain the fragrance and cleanliness of its fruit, without the alcohol excesses related to over-ripening.
Offering a delightful balance of freshness and complexity, it has found a niche amongst UK wine enthusiasts seeking something a tad different.
Grillo wines are typically a great bang for your buck. On average, you can expect to pay anywhere from £8 to £20 for a decent bottle, though some premium selections may reach a slightly higher bracket.
Grillo's zesty undertones make it a splendid companion for pasta dishes, especially those featuring seafood or zesty lemon and herb sauces. A classic spaghetti alle vongole or a linguine al limone would be a match made in heaven.
Risotto with saffron or a fresh spring vegetable risotto will harmonise well with Grillo's nuanced flavour profile.
Lean white meats, such as chicken or turkey, cooked with Mediterranean herbs are a safe bet. Think of dishes like rosemary roasted chicken.
Grillo and seafood are an age-old pairing. Opt for grilled fish, especially sea bass or seabream, to complement its crisp and minerally notes.
Soft to medium cheeses, especially those with a bit of tang like feta or a fresh goat cheese, accentuate Grillo's unique flavour palette.
Given its Mediterranean roots, Grillo naturally pairs well with Italian fare. However, it's also an excellent choice with Spanish tapas or even some Greek mezze dishes, given the shared emphasis on fresh ingredients and bold flavours.
Incorporating Grillo into your wine rotation promises a delightful culinary journey, with pairings that cater to a variety of palates and dishes.
Literally translated as ‘cricket’, Grillo is a Sicilian white wine with great potential, an intense tie with its land and an increasing popularity among consumers all over the world.
Good to know
It is difficult to identify just one kind of Grillo wine. Grillo can produce a wide range of wines; aromatic dry whites with a good acidity, sweet passitos or intense and rich fortified wines, such as the famous Marsala.
Vinified in purity (meaning single-varietal wines), Grillo can produce fragrant wines of great organoleptic structure. The perfume, distinctly floral, can show hints of melon, but also pear, tea weeds, nettle leaves and dried flowers. On the palate, Grillo wines are warm, very balanced and harmonious with their dry and slightly astringent taste.
Grillo produces excellent dry wines. Nonetheless this grape can be used in blends both for dry, fortified and delicious sweet wines.
Grillo is grown in Southern Italy, on the island of Sicily and in the regions of Puglia and Basilicata. In Sicily, it is widespread throughout the entire territory, but it is mostly produced in the western side, in the provinces of Trapani, Agrigento and Palermo.
Grillo wines are characterised by a wonderful fragrance and an aromaticity that make them exemplary pairings for a long list of foods. From shellfish and seafood appetisers, to first and second courses based on fish and vegetables. Grillo can be matched with fried crustaceans, white meats, eggs and salami.
Grillo is pronounced as [ˈɡrɪl.lo]. In a simplified form, it sounds like "GREE-lo." The emphasis is on the first syllable, with a rolled 'r' and a clear 'o' sound at the end.
Explore by style
Jump to the editorial guide for each style this grape turns up in.
Keep exploring
333 wines
32 denominations
