Tag: Sicily

Sicilian Wine: A New Quality Standard? (Forbes)

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In ancient Rome, Sicilian wine was among the most prestigious wines of its era. It received the equivalent of “5 star accolades” by Pliny the Elder, the Robert Parker of his day.

Yet only recently is Sicilian wine regaining its former glory. This is due in large part to the efforts of Assovini Sicilia, a group of quality-minded producers dedicated to promoting Sicilian wine.

Sicilian Wine Today

The producers of Assovini Sicilia come from many different wine-producing areas of Sicily and make wine from a variety of native and international grapes. The majority of the producers come from families who have been making wine for generations, though this was typically for personal use.

Starting from the mid-1980s, these producers (or their parents) realized the unique terroir of their family vineyards. A classic example is that of Giuseppe Benanti. Like many of his contemporaries, he graduated university and embarked on a professional career outside of wine.

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A Beginner’s Guide to the Wines of Sicily (Wine Enthusiast)

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Sicily, the largest island in the Mediterranean Sea, served as a crossroads for ancient civilizations. Today, it boasts one of Europe’s most dynamic wine industries. Though a part of Italy, Sicily’s breadth of landscapes approximates a small country itself. Get to know the history, grapes and regions of this sunny isle.

Sicily’s Wine History

The Greeks, Phoenicians, Arabs and Italians have all held sway over Sicily. Though the Greeks brought their advanced viticulture techniques, Sicilians have been making wine since 4000 BC. Its dry, warm climate features regular sunshine and moderate rainfall that suits wine production. Arid conditions reduce the chance of rot and mildew, especially in areas kissed with coastal breezes. This makes Sicily a prime candidate for organic farming. Olives, citrus and grains drive the agricultural sector beyond wine.

In the past, however, farmers opted for higher yields, which turned Sicily into a bulk wine center. They distributed to mainland Europe to boost thin wines, as well as to China and India, who imported concentrated Sicilian must to sweeten foods.

Heritage regions like Marsala did put Sicilian wine on the map. Wine traditions in each of the island’s regions, from Vittoria to Mount Etna, have remained strong. In the 1980s, a resurgence in interest brought improvements in viticulture and winemaking. Today, Sicily turns out some of the most exciting labels in Italy.

Large path through a vineyard full of ripe purple grapes
Photo by Meg Baggott

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The 5 Most Read Stories of 2017 (Vini di Sicilia)

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Here are the most-read Vinidisicilia.blog stories published in 2017:

  1. 7 Bottles that Put Sicily on the Map of Trendy Wine Regions (Food & Wine)
  2. 6 Top Sicilian Wines You Need To Try
  3. Top20 Wines of Sicily 2016
  4. Top 10 Nero d’Avola 2017 according to Wine Searcher
  5. The Top10 of Etna Bianco (Wine Searcher)

If you like to review them of if you missed these posts, enjoy your reading!

Sicilian wine is sunshine in a bottle (Richard Esling)

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Open a bottle of chilled Sicilian white (or red for that matter) and you can almost feel the sunshine that has ripened the grapes to produce these delicious and eminently affordable wines.

Sicily is the largest island in the Mediterranean, just off the coast of the toe of the Italian boot, and Italy’s most southerly region. Continua a leggere “Sicilian wine is sunshine in a bottle (Richard Esling)” →