Castelli Nisseni, wine and flavour route

Along the itineraries of the Wine and Flavour Route of Castelli Nisseni, in the province of Caltanissetta, food and wine play a very important role. It is here, in the Piana di Riesi, that the most elegant Nero d’Avola Sicilian wines are produced. Colours, flavours, aromas, history and tradition transform into paths of taste between the hills and the sea. The aim is to set the historical and cultural identity of this area, favouring tourism focused on the quality of the products and facilities. The agricultural and wine products, the food specialities and the naturalistic attractions can be a focal point for local tourism.

Nero D’Avola and gastronomy
Calabrese d’Avola is one of the grapes most used to produce Sicilian red wines, and it develops interesting expressions in the province of Caltanissetta. The wines obtained from Nero d’Avola are of an intense ruby red colour and are distinguished by a complex aroma which go from violet and spices, to cherry, to blackberry, to chocolate and tobacco. This grape can also make Cerasuolo di Vittoria DOCG, a great pairing for the traditional aubergine caponata. It is a simple dish, as is Sicilian cuisine: a cuisine where the main ingredients are durum wheat and rice, indispensable to make fresh pasta such as cavateddi, the typical arancine or the many varieties of cereal soup. Typical products are the mushrooms of «ferra», Niscemi artichokes, fava beans of Leonforte and Mazzarino, peaches as well as the various types of sheep cheeses. Common meats are lamb, goat, pork and fish such as anchovies, salted sardines and baccalà (dried salted cod). The typical sweet product of Caltanissetta is torrone (nougat).

Nature, cities and castles
Associating Sicily to just coastal scenarios is quite reductive. There is also an inland that encapsulates the real Sicily, characterised by evocative rural landscapes. An example is Butera, which aims to develop agriculture and tourism, thanks to its history and scenery. Among the most interesting natural oasis and worth a visit are the Sughereta di Niscemi, an area of woods of cork oak, the Riserva Naturale Orientata Biviere di Gela, the Riserva Monte Capodarso and Valle dell’Imera. Mazzarino is one of the most interesting historical centres in Sicily, with a rich artistic heritage and enchanting panoramas from the top of mount Formaggio to the valley of Braemi. If you visit these areas, do not forget to visit the mineral museum of the sulphur mine in Caltanissetta, the Castle of Butera, the Castle of Falconara and the Castle of Mazzarino.