The island of sicily is one of italys most exotic wine destinations, with bewitching coastline, greek ruins, norman churches, arabic fortresses, baroque piazzas that look like a movie set, and out of this world cuisine that shows the diverse cultures who have left their footprint here. Pinot grigio, soave, valpolicella, lambrusco, frascati and the like. The 2015 sicilia mille e una notte is a beautifully saturated and dark wine, with an elegant fullbodied. Ah, italy what a beautiful, hedonistic, disorganised, frustrating country.
Sikelia and the sicilian wines discover messina sicily. The magic of the wine of sicily comes from the combination of climate, the soil and the range of grapes. Part one of this series was a focus on sicily as the new darling of wine culture. Today, sicily is one of the bulk wine centres of italy, a significant contributor to.
The lineup was a mix of red, white and the famous sweet wine ben rye. With 14 month aging in new french oak, followed by 36 months in bottle, this was a masterpiece of winemaking with deep, dark fruit, spices, earth, finegrained tannins, wellbalanced, and a finish that lasts forever. When the romans took control of sicily, they spread wine from the region around the empire. Jun 28, 2012 cos biodynamics and amphora in sicily by britt karlsson on june 28, 2012 in italy wineries, wine producer profiles the vineyard is our bank savings so we must protect it, says giusto occhipinti at cos winery in sicily. With a terrace and views of the sea, the airconditioned rooms have free wifi and a private bathroom. In sicily, making a name for vittoria the new york times. Adventures in the new french wine country 2008 and palmento. Hidden is the island of pantelleria, solitary in the sea between the coasts of sicily and africa, an ancient land whose people once worshipped ishtar, the goddess of love. We also organise custom designed wine tours for private groups and companies travel to the worlds wine regions with the wine experts and the wine tour specialist. Cos biodynamics and amphora in sicily bkwine magazine. Pinot grigio, soave, valpolicella, lambrusco, frascati and the.
Grown on the slopes of mount etna, and increasingly available internationally, nerello mascalese is a crowdpleasing red wine with personality to spare. Great visit to one of sicilys biggest wine producers. Book ahead for a tour of the vineyard and winery, followed by a tasting. About 30 years ago, sicilys wine industry was focused primarily on the famed marsala and fortified wines today the quality has been steadily improving, featuring enhanced and interesting flavors and characteristics.
Sicilian vineyard for sale world real estate immobiliare. Sicilys total vineyard area has actually shrunk from 322,000 hectares in 1880 to 1,000ha today 2014. Towards the end of the 19th century, the english dominion in marsalamaking was brought to an end by the arrival of vincenzo florio, one of italys first tycoons, who bought up much of the land around marsala. An introduction to the wines of sicily with map vinepair. What he discovered during more than a year of traveling the region, however, was far more than a fascinating wine frontier. Sicily wine region history and culture howstuffworks. The authors presume that you know enough about food to know what you like and how to enjoy it. All raw materials are carefully selected only according to the season and availability, sticking to the traditional production processes of the best sicilian wines. A beginners guide to the wines of sicily wine enthusiast. My other wine passion in northeast sicily is for the littleknown wines of faro, one of italys smallest wine regions, near the port city of messina. Robert camutos bookhalf wine book, half travelogueis entertaining and enlightening and will certainly pique your interest in visiting sicily and drinking. The ultimate east coast itinerary for wine lovers wine.
Sunny sicily, the largest island in the mediterranean sea, sits just off the tip of the bootshaped peninsula of italy. One sicilian wine in particular, mamertino, garnered a following among nobles and is said to have been julius caesars favorite source. A table wine of true quality, the grillo is also noted for its use in doc varietals in various wine regions, including marsala, alcamo, contea di sclafani, and monreale. Today, sicily is home to a number of successful winemaking families, successfully blending old and new world styles. Sicily s soils, and the mountains from which they came, are of particular interest when it comes to studying the islands viticulture. Sicily s wines are the perfect expression of the islands complexity and variety, and this volume provides an introduction to the local wine tradition. Meet the grapes the sicilia doc is the first organization in the history of sicily that has been created to promote and preserve the islands indigenous grape varieties, share the islands wine story with consumers, and safeguard the reputation of the sicily brand. The 2015 sicilia mille e una notte is a beautifully. With an outdoor pool overlooking the countryside, wine resort villagrande features a garden with sun terrace and bbq. This mediumbodied wine from one of sicily s largest producers has hints of dried figs and pepper, with macerated cherries and tannins. Famous wines of the sicily wine region howstuffworks. I admit that i didnt know very much about the wines of sicily before i picked up this interesting and informative book.
An important grape that is found throughout the western regions of sicily, the grillo is crisp and light in texture, with moderate acidity and notable sweetness. Jul 29, 2015 learn about the wines of sicily with our helpful introduction to the islands red and white grapes and regions. Valentina and giuseppe are creating wine with passion and love at this boutique winery situated in rolling wine country outside alcamo. Buy the world of sicilian wine by nesto, bill, di savino, frances isbn. Food and wine sicilian food the sicilian cuisine is the most interesting of all the italian regions, since each new invasion added another layer to an increasingly rich culinary tradition. Hidden is sikelia, concealed within the rounded walls of ancient dammusi dwellings, a haven of peace and serenity.
This article is part three in a series on sicilian foods, wines, and culture. Discover the flavors of sicily with this olive oil, salt, and wine tour from palermo. The mediterraneans largest island, sicily, is enjoying a revival of its highquality wine industry, from etna in the east to marsala in the west. Learn about the wines of sicily with our helpful introduction to the islands red and white grapes and regions. Sep 11, 2017 a frequent traveler through the wine countries of italy, france and occasionally beyond, he is author of two books exploring old terroirs in modern times. It also sluices forth rivers of disgracefully thin, characterless stuff to be sold under its most commercially useful names. What he discovered during more than a year of traveling the region, however, was far more than a. Wine has been part of sicilian history for centuries. Granted, the vast majority of those vineyards raise grapes for marsala, the sweet and dry fortified wine. A frequent traveler through the wine countries of italy, france and occasionally beyond, he is author of two books exploring old terroirs in modern times. As the author nicolas belfrage argues in his book, brunello to zibibbo, sicily. The authors presume that you know enough about food. It didnt take long for the wines to gain recognition throughout the ancient world. Sicily, italy best wine destinations 2017 wine enthusiast.
Italian driving can be nerveracking for newbies, and sicilys winding mountain roads are seriously tough. For centuries, sicily has been a benchmark of quality for the global wine market, and the indigenous grape nero davola, in particular, is an icon of sicilian oenology. The general unawareness, coupled with the remarkable strides in winemaking there, make for some great values and a rich vein for mining wine and food pairings. Italy can provide wine lovers with so many distinctive, unique flavours and styles, bottles full of italian verve and creativity. Sicily is a wine lovers paradise, such is the variety, complexity and abundance of bacchus unique gift. The world of sicilian wine provides wine lovers with a comprehensive understanding of sicilian wine, from its ancient roots to its modern evolution. The island of sicily is a realm of contrasts and cultural and environmental variety, from the snows of etna to the sundrenched beaches of capo passero, from artdestination cities to the. This mediumbodied wine from one of sicilys largest producers has hints of dried figs and pepper, with macerated cherries and tannins. Written by sicilians in sicily, this book introduces sicilian cuisine, explaining what it is and where to find it. Dec 17, 2012 see some of our photos from sicily, and dream about your next holiday, on bkwine magazine. Cos biodynamics and amphora in sicily by britt karlsson on june 28, 2012 in italy wineries, wine producer profiles the vineyard is our bank savings so we must protect it, says giusto occhipinti at cos winery in sicily. Part two of this series was a focus on the young, dominating wine industry of the etna doc denominazione di origine controllata on east coast of sicily, on and around mount etna. Learn about sicilian wine, common tasting notes, where the region is and more. Small amounts of faro red wine, based mainly on nerello mascalese with small amounts of nerello cappuccio and other local varieties, are made principally by one winery, palari.
He was also the main project writer for the michelin green guide sicily 2012. Interestingly, nearly 90 percent of doc wines in sicily are dessert wines like marsala source. Sicily is a winelovers paradise, such is the variety, complexity and abundance of bacchus unique gift. Sikelia was created in 2012 to enhance the sicilian enogastronomic excellence, appreciated in local food and in sicilian wines, promoting small and local enterprises, out of mass distribution. Presenting descriptions, background, a glossary and a dozen classic and simple recipes, it is a reliable reference for anybody captivated by sicily s food, wine and timeless culture. Today, the little black grape has been uplifted even further by a new generation of winemakers who are winning accolades for. Sicily is really producing some top quality wines now and many of these wines are slowly becoming available and being appreciated internationally. Here the most important personality is the cuisines, and sicily boasts some of the most delicious the world has to offer. Apr 14, 2020 the market was soon awash with lowquality, lowpriced sicilian wine. Learn about the varieties, the local winery tours and wine delivery service from the thinking traveller.
Taste delicious local wines at a vineyard in marsala, admire the distinctive saltproducing lagoon in the stagnone nature reserve, and enjoy a lunch of cheese, meats, olives, local bread, and homemade olive oil. Sicily s total vineyard area has actually shrunk from 322,000 hectares in 1880 to 1,000ha today 2014. Let the shuttle bus take the strain on this doortodoor guided tour that packs a whole bunch of sicily into just one day. Organic or from sustainable agriculture, our wines are very low in sulphites, so they can be enjoyed with complete confidence. Beginning with the greeks, who arrived on the eastern part of sicily in the 8th century bce, the idea of methodical grapegrowing practices for the purpose of quality winemaking firmly took root on the island. Sicily has more vineyards than any other region in italy. Azzolino, is one such wine estate which has proved very popular. Some books on sicilian food are all about the author.
The market was soon awash with lowquality, lowpriced sicilian wine. Offering a guide and map to exploring sicily, bill nesto, an expert in italian wine, and frances di savino, a student of italian culture, deliver a substantive appreciation of a vibrant wine region that is one of europes most historic areas and. We recently visited this large winery having opted for the donna gabriella wine tasting experience, which provided opportunity to taste 5 wines paired with local traditional cuisine. Sicilian vineyard for sale for sale this is sicilian vineyard for sale located in malfa, salina in the aeolian islands, off the north coast of sicily and offering wonderful views of the the blue waters of the mediterranean sea with the islands of panarea and stomboli in the distance. A large, geographically and climatically diverse island, just off the toe of italy, sicily has long been recognized for its fortified marsala wines. Vittoria, sicily the red wines made in the vicinity of this midsize town in southeastern sicily can be elegant and beautiful, with a crunchy freshness and a reticent austerity. Aug 17, 2016 vittoria, sicily the red wines made in the vicinity of this midsize town in southeastern sicily can be elegant and beautiful, with a crunchy freshness and a reticent austerity. A journey in sicily, from the west to the east through five unique territories each one includes the excellence in hospitality e in making refined sicilian wines. Pages in category novels set in sicily the following 32 pages are in this category, out of 32 total. Jan 05, 2017 sicily, italy best wine destinations 2017. Happily, the movement to reverse this reputation is well underway, and sicily is now one of italys most promising and interesting wine regions. Two doc wines that should be mentioned alongside marsala are pantelleria and lipari, sweet wines that have gained reputations for quality all around the world.
Producing wine and olive oil, the property is located in milo, a 10minute drive from the etna regional park. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. Sicilian wine producers are proud to be different and look beyond the traditional grapes associated with chardonnay, sauvignon blanc, cabernet sauvignon. Sicilys reputation as a food and wine paradise has remained intact for more than 3,000 years. Up until the 1990s much of the white wine production was mainly trebbiano for distillation. Nov 05, 2017 grown on the slopes of mount etna, and increasingly available internationally, nerello mascalese is a crowdpleasing red wine with personality to spare. But now, with just a few pages left to go, id expand that audience to anyone who appreciates firstrate journalism. With this book, the authors have given sicily and its wines an exceptional tribute they have succeeded in making the story of sicilian wine both understandable. Sicilys soils, and the mountains from which they came, are of particular interest when it comes to studying the islands viticulture.
423 141 349 343 85 1544 1024 974 1077 1207 491 1154 400 598 555 138 1445 207 21 61 62 825 1387 1278 680 803 1273 1446 110 510