The island of Sicily makes some of Italy’s most exciting wines. Here are five points that prove our case.
Never been to Sicily? Even if you weren’t glued to the second season of The White Lotus (really?) or haven’t seen The Godfather trilogy (shame on you), you’ll probably have a few ideas about this southern Italian island. You might think of it as a place of stunning natural beauty and ancient landscapes, or maybe you associate it more with the mafia. But what you really need to know about this ruggedly beautiful place is that it makes some of the best wines in all of Italy (in our humble opinion). If you’re into bright whites and elegant reds, you’ve come to the right place. Even more so if you like to do things a little differently, as Sicilian wines still fly a little under the radar.
The largest island in the Mediterranean, Sicily is also the most populous in the region. It sits just off the ‘toe’ of Italy’s boot and is home to Mount Etna, Europe’s tallest active volcano. It’s one of 20 wine regions in Italy, and considering the recent developments and improvements made here, it’s one of its most enticing. For anyone who watched the drama unfold in The White Lotus over that peak summer setting, it might be hard to believe that parts of Sicily get heavy snowfall in winter. Generally, though, the island has a warm and dry climate, which, together with its rich, volcanic soils, creates the ideal grape-growing conditions for an incredible range of wine varieties and styles.
If you’re after a snapshot of what Sicily does so well, we have a few pointers below. We also think there’s something for everyone when it comes to the wines of Sicily, so we offer some top examples to try, too.
