What is Inzolia?Sicily's nutty white grape, also used for Marsala, on our list at Fiena, King's Cross

Inzolia is a white wine grape grown mainly in the west of Sicily. It's known for its nutty aroma, and it's one of the grapes that can be used to make Marsala, the island's famous fortified wine. It's also made into still white wines like ours.

The grape has a long list of local names. In Sicily you might see it written as Insolia, Insolia di Palermo or Nzolia, and there's even a Nzolia di Lipari, named after the island of Lipari.

Cross to the mainland and the same grape is called Ansonica. In Tuscany it's the main, and possibly the only, grape in the Ansonica Costa dell'Argentario DOC, on the far southern coast of Tuscany and the island of Giglio. It also appears in the wines of Elba, and in Calabria in the Bivongi DOC.

Back in Sicily, it's allowed in a long list of DOC wines, including Alcamo, Marsala, Menfi, Monreale, Sciacca and Vittoria. Background from Wikipedia's Ansonica page.

On our drinks menu, the Ca Del Lago Inzolia is described as pale golden, with aromas of citrus, bright and fresh. If you like it, try it against the other Italian whites on the list: the Vitis Nostra Grillo, another Sicilian grape, dry with crisp citrus and green apple; the Gavi di Gavi, bone dry and floral; and the crisp Pinot Grigio. See our posts on Grillo, Nero d'Avola, Pinot Grigio and our guide to our wine list. Ask our team about glasses and bottles when you order.

A bright, citrusy white is made for seafood and lighter dishes. From our main menu, which starts at midday:

• Linguine vongole, with clams, baby prawns, garlic, cherry tomatoes and bisque.
• Marinated seafood, mixed seafood in olive oil, lemon juice and mixed herbs, to start.
• Capesante, pan-fried scallops with a lemon butter sauce.
• Salmon with lemon sauce, made with white wine, lemon zest and butter, served with French beans.
• Risotto asparagus & prawns, Arborio risotto with king prawns and seasonal asparagus.
• Caprese or the Goat cheese salad with walnuts and honey mustard sauce, if you'd like something lighter.

See our posts on linguine alle vongole, capesante, risotto and seafood and insalata caprese.

Guests often mention the Italian feel of the place. Loredana wrote: The café has a warm, authentic Italian atmosphere. (Loredana, Google review) And Normof, after pizza: Wine was good, too. (Normof, Google review)

“Super fresh and tasty - the service was impeccable too!”

Phoebe, Google reviews, 2026