Sicily

Sicily is a wine lovers paradise, with an array of interesting indigenous varietals and exciting styles that have emerged from this wild and fertile land. The largest of the Mediterranean islands, Sicily has a rich and remarkable heritage, and although part of Italy, it very much has a history and culture of its own. They have been producing wine since 4000 BC and though once being known for bulk production, Sicilian wine producers have re-established the region as a key player in quality Italian wine by focussing back on their native traditions, lower yields and establishing distinctive regional styles.

The warm, dry climate, abundant of sunshine and fertile soils make for fantastic growing conditions. Mildew and rot are rare, due to the arid landscape and so chemicals, pesticides and herbicides are scarcely needed, making Sicily ideal for Organic agriculture. There are international grape varieties grown in Sicily and some very good examples at that, but the most exciting wines, the wines sought out by top sommeliers and wine enthusiasts across the world are those from indigenous varieties. In terms of Sicilian reds, Nero d’Avola is the most widely planted variety on the island and the pride of this region, from youthful examples, full of fruit, juicy acidity, which are super easy drinking, to serious and complex wines which mature beautifully with age. In terms of Sicilian whites, Grillo is one of their top produced wines, found across the region, it makes for vibrant, dry whites. Nerello Mascalese, Nerello Cappuccio and Carricante are the primary grapes found on Mount Etna and they thrive in these volcanic soils, producing unique wines of distinction, often referred to as Etna Bianco and Etna Rosso. This just names a few, there is so much to discover here and so much to love about Sicilian wine!

If you are looking for a case of Sicilian red wines or Sicilian white wines, then Sociovino has lots to offer you! One of Sicily's most prestigious producers, Benanti, a social project and cooperative working with confiscated mafia land, Centopassi and a lip smackingly good Passito di Pantelleria from Solidea. Explore Sicily with Sociovino.