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Sicily is house to a few of Italy’s most sought-after wines, which is kind of a testomony when its counterparts embody Tuscany and Piedmont. The island’s volcanic soils, diversified local weather, and millennia-old wine-making traditions have made it a prestigious wine area in Italy and internationally.
Distinct native wines like Marsala, Nero d’Avola, and Frappato are at all times a favourite on my Palermo meals excursions, and it was these varieties that drew me into the world of Sicilian wine tradition and traditions. If you happen to’re a wine fanatic like me, visiting some wineries and overlooking the picture-perfect vineyards can be a should!
On this information, I’ll stroll you thru the highest Sicilian wineries and vineyards for distinctive wine excursions and tastings.
What Makes Sicilian Wines Distinctive?
Sicilian wines are distinctive for a lot of causes, however primarily attributable to their minerality and fruity traits. There are a selection of things at play which have led to those unmistakable flavors, together with local weather, terrain, and a variety of age-old approaches to wine-making.
Blessed with virtually year-round sunshine, Sicily has some severely favorable grape-growing situations. A lot of the wine right here owes its success to the Scirocco and Maestrale winds, as they create moisture to the vines and assist to maintain them protected from illness.
Moreover, Mount Etna, the hovering volcano that lies within the east of the island, supplies fertile, mineral-rich soils that play an enormous function in giving Sicilian wine its elegant, recent flavors.
Though Sicily has had a turbulent historical past, its time spent beneath Greek and Roman rule opened it as much as new manufacturing strategies like pruning and barrel growing old. These modified native wines’ logistics and enhanced the beforehand utilized strategies by indigenous populations.
Iconic Wineries in Sicily You Should Go to
Prime-tier wineries are scattered throughout Sicily in numerous pockets of the island, however these are a number of the greatest within the enterprise.
Gambino Vini
Picture credit score: Gambino Vini
Gambino Vini is a revered vineyard within the Catania area, run by a household of wine lovers for the reason that late Nineteen Seventies.
Their assortment of wines is great, and a few of their signature merchandise are their berry-like Nero d’Avola and a Grillo with crisp melon and pineapple notes.
They provide a number of wine and culinary experiences, all of which embody guided excursions of their impeccably saved cellar. You’ll want a automotive for this vineyard, so make sure to plan accordingly!
Gambino Vini (€€) – Contrada Petto Dragone, 95015 Linguaglossa CT, Italy – Open daily from 10:30 am to five:30 pm.
Di Giovanna Vineyard
Picture credit score: Di Giovanna Vineyard
Di Giovanna is an natural, family-run vineyard nestled within the mountains of the Agrigento area. Due to its distant location, you’ll have to rent a driver or hire a automotive.
Though they develop some worldwide favorites like Merlot, the Sicilian wines are what it’s all about right here. I’m an enormous fan of their Catarratto Lucido, primarily attributable to its quirky fusion of peachy but savory tones.
Their tastings and excursions vary from 3-wine affairs to customizable picnic experiences!
Di Giovanna Vineyard (€€) – Contrada S. Giacomo, 92017 Sambuca di Sicilia AG, Italy – Open each Monday to Saturday from 10:00 am to five:00 pm, closed each Sunday.
Etna City Vineyard
Picture credit score: Etna City Vineyard
Etna City Vineyard in Catania is exclusive in that it’s uncommon to search out vineyards in such a built-up space, not to mention one which’s been working since 1790.
The crew right here makes a speciality of Nerello Mascalese, and its advanced mineral end, floral notes, and smokey hues rapidly received me over.
Along with its broad choice of excursions, together with lunch, aperitivo, and sundown specials, you too can avail of the shuttle service.
Etna City Vineyard (€€) – Through Catira, 40, 95027 San Gregorio di Catania CT, Italy – Closed each Monday and Sunday, open each Tuesday to Saturday from 10:00 am to six:00 pm or 3:00 pm to eight:30 pm (opening instances differ).
Donnafugata
Picture credit score: Donnafugata
Donnafugata has 5 areas in Sicily, however I recommend beginning with the Marsala cellars, that are over 150 years outdated and devoted to sustainable practices.
Right here, wines from their quite a few estates are aged, together with their divine Etan Bianco full of zingy lemon and aromatic natural hues.
There’s an in depth record of excursions obtainable right here, a few of which include Sicilian road meals pairings or embody lesser-known wines. Better of all, the cellars are only a fast stroll from the Marsala prepare station.
Donnafugata (€€) – Through Sebastiano Lipari, 18, 91025 Marsala TP, Italy – Open each Monday to Saturday from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm and from 3:30 pm to six:30 pm.
Iconic Sicilian Wine Varieties to Attempt
Nero d’Avola – This daring dry crimson is beloved for its darkish fruit flavors and easy end, incomes it DOC standing.
Frappato – Frappato is a beautiful, light-bodied crimson that blends earthy and spicy notes with hints of candied fruit. It’s the one Sicilian wine to realize DOCG accreditation, awarded solely to premier Italian wines.
Marsala – Sicily’s most beloved dessert wine, Marsala, is bursting with vanilla, apricot, and brown sugar flavors. It’s been acknowledged by Decanter, which runs the world’s most prestigious wine competitors.
Etna Bianco – A traditional Sicilian dry white, this wine has a velvety mouthfeel and a refreshing stability of citrusy and herbaceous tones. These qualities led to its success on the Sommerlier’s Selection Awards through the years.
Grillo – Usually used with different grapes to make Marsala wine, Grillo is simply as pleasant in its personal proper. Its mixture of tropical fruit flavors, acidity, and delicate bitterness helped it attain DOC certification.
Easy methods to Plan Your Wine Tour in Sicily
If you happen to’re new to Sicilian wine, you will get a style of a number of the most treasured varieties on my Palermo meals tour earlier than committing to a full tour or tasting session.
These eager to go to some Sicilian wineries ought to contemplate doing so between Could and October. Could and June are nice for avoiding the height summer season crowds whereas benefiting from the sunshine, however the harvest season kicks off in late September, which is equally thrilling!
Some wineries require you to make your individual manner there, which means at the very least one individual in your celebration received’t be capable of pattern the wines. As such, reserving a tour with transport included is value contemplating.
Regardless of the way you select to plan your Sicilian vineyard go to, I at all times advocate testing the critiques to make sure you know what to anticipate from the general expertise.
Conclusion
Exploring the wineries of Sicily is one thing that each wine-loving traveler ought to expertise. From the premium wines and various varieties to the gorgeous vine-covered hills and sweeping vistas, these wineries provide an unparalleled introduction to Sicily’s best wine areas.
Sources:
Consuming Europe. (n.d.). Palermo meals tour: Uncover the genuine flavors of Palermo’s road meals. Consuming Europe. Retrieved December 13, 2024, from https://www.eatingeurope.com/palermo/
Gambino Vini. (n.d.). Gambino Vini: Uncover the wines of Mount Etna. Retrieved December 13, 2024, from https://www.vinigambino.it/en/house/
Di Giovanna Vineyard. (n.d.). Di Giovanna: Natural Sicilian wines. Retrieved December 13, 2024, from https://www.di-giovanna.com/en/
Etna City Vineyard. (n.d.). Etna City Vineyard: Wine experiences on the coronary heart of Etna. Retrieved December 13, 2024, from https://www.etnaurbanwinery.it/
Donnafugata. (n.d.). The territories of Donnafugata: Marsala. Retrieved December 13, 2024, from https://www.donnafugata.it/en/the-territories-of-donnafugata/marsala/
Decanter. (n.d.). Decanter: The world’s greatest wine journal. Retrieved December 13, 2024, from https://www.decanter.com/
Sommeliers Selection Awards. (n.d.). Sommeliers Selection Awards: Recognizing the very best wines for on-premise consumption. Retrieved December 13, 2024, from https://sommelierschoiceawards.com/en/
