To a wine after … Sicily!
Italy is a destination for all the senses: lively cities, beautiful landscapes, culinary delights and, last but not least, world-famous wine. As a wine country, Italy is remarkable in several respects: Italy is one of the most important wine producers in the world and the cradle of Western European viticulture: with the Romans, wine came to Germany and many other countries. Italy is one of the few countries in the world that has a vibrant wine culture in all regions from north to south. Even today, “Bella Italia” is home to over 1,000 grape varieties.
In our first part of the wine tour through Italy, the path leads us straight to the far southwest: to Sicily. The largest island in the Mediterranean is an important wine-growing region and is home to several famous wines. The importance of viticulture in Sicily can also be seen in the figures: With a vineyard area of around 112,000 ha, there is more wine cultivation area in Sicily alone than in Germany (approx. 103,000 ha). Sicily is also the largest wine region in Italy, accounting for around one-sixth of the national vineyard area.
Sicily: Nero d’Avola, Marsala and Volcanic Wine
Numerous grape varieties are grown in Sicily, producing intense, full-bodied wines in the island’s hot, subtropical climate. The most important and well-known wine variety in Sicily is Nero d’Avola, strong in colour and taste. In addition, many other well-known and lesser-known grape varieties are grown, including the red wine varieties Frappato, Nerello, Sangiovese, Cabernet and Syrah and the white wine varieties Inzolia, Grillo, Grecanico, Catarrato and Zibibbo. There is a lot to discover for the ever-growing crowd of wine lovers.
In the past, Sicily was best known for its Marsala: a fortified wine. Marsala is usually mixed with brandy similar to port wine, which stops fermentation and preserves the natural fruit sweetness of the wine. In earlier centuries, this process was used to preserve the wine for the long ship journey to England. Today it is a rich delicacy that is enjoyed after a good meal. After all, Sicily is also the home of the famous volcanic wines. At the foot of Mount Etna, Europe’s most powerful active volcano, lies the Etna wine-growing region. Here, unique wines with a mineral character grow on volcanic soils.
Our wine tip: Nicosia Fondo Filara Etna Bianco DOC 2019
Curious? The organically produced Fondo Filara Etna Bianco from the Nicosia winery is a tasty introduction to the world of Etna wines. The cuvée of the Carricante and Catarratto grape varieties has a truly extraordinary, complex bouquet in which fruity and floral notes are combined with a hint of honey. In the mouth, the Fondo Filaro Etna Bianco inspires with a fresh mineral taste, which ends with a charming anise note.
You can order the Nicosia Fondo Filara Etna Bianco here from our partner Televino.
