The only wine with DOCG status in Sicily, it is made from a blend of two Sicilian grape varieties, Nero d'Avola (locally known as Calabrese) at between 50% and 70%, with Frappato as the remainder.

The DOCG rules also include regulation of cropping rates and a minimum alcohol level of 13%.

Cerasuolo means "cherry red" and refers to the colour of the resulting blend of these grapes.

The large region delineated in the DOCG definition is the same as the Vittoria DOC, which has less strict rules on cropping, ageing, and grape blends, and includes a white wine made from Ansonica.

[3] The wine combines the fragrant, floral characters of Frappato with the full body and tannins from Nero d'Avola.