Sicilian Renaissance

When we speak of the Renaissance in general terms, without wanting to associate it with the historical period between the mid-fourteenth century and the sixteenth century, it refers to a moment of profound renewal and change. The beginning of a new era of development, as opposed to a previous period, often considered dark. This is precisely what happens when we talk about the Sicilian Renaissance in the world of wine. A renewal process that has profoundly changed the oenological face of Sicily, moving new energies and progressively increasing the quality of production. For many decades, like many regions of southern Italy, Sicily has also produced wine in large quantities for sale in bulk. A trade that fed a thriving market of cut wines, which were used to reinforce the color and alcoholic strength of the wines of the northern regions of the country or of central Europe. A production system characterized by a low-price sale of huge volumes of wine, which did not create any value for the territory, on the contrary depressed its potential, with a short-sighted vision, oriented only to immediate collection at the end of the harvest. Only in the early 1980s did Sicily begin to change course and embark on the path of quality. A long and complex path, which made a real mental revolution necessary, to change habits and deeply rooted ways of thinking. Sicilian producers began to understand that they could produce quality wines to bottle and sell at prices appropriate to remunerate their work. A long process took place, which made rediscover the ancient vocation of Sicilian lands for viticulture, present on the island since the time of the first Greek colonization. A Sicilian Renaissance, which also in this case, found its roots in the ancient splendors and noble origins of the past. Already in Roman times, Sicilian wines were considered among the absolute best in the whole Mediterranean. Sicily gradually became aware of its potential and the producers realized that they could start producing quality wines, equal to those of the other regions of Italy and Europe. The rebirth of Sicilian wine has gone through the modernization of the plants, with high density and low yield vineyards. At the same time many autochthonous vines of great history and value have also been re-evaluated, to be added to the international vines that have become very well acclimatized on the island. The birth of an association like Assovini (1998), which represents the interests of Sicilian producers and subsequently of DOC Sicily, have contributed to joining forces in a common development project, which has contributed to the growth of the whole territory.

Sicilian Renaissance

Terre Siciliane Inzolia IGT 2022 Li Ciuri

Sicilia Menfi DOC Fiano Cometa 2022 Planeta

Etna DOC Bianco Scalunera 2023 Torre Mora

Etna Rosso DOC 2021 Tornatore

Sicilia DOC Zibibbo Lighea 2023 Donnafugata

Passito di Pantelleria DOC Giardino Pantesco 2023 Pellegrino

Sicilia DOC Brut Metodo Classico Planeta

Terre Siciliane IGT Duca Enrico 2020 Duca di Salaparuta

Etna Rosso DOC Sul Vulcano 2021 Donnafugata

Etna Rosso Feudo di Mezzo DOC 2022 Graci

Etna DOC Rosso Cuordilava 2020 Donnafugata

Sicilia DOC Rosa Dolce&Gabbana 2023 Donnafugata

Sicilia DOC Nero d'Avola Harmonium 2019 Firriato

Sicilia DOC Anthìlia 2023 Donnafugata

Contessa Entellina DOC Chardonnay Chiarandà 2021 Donnafugata

Terre Siciliane IGT Riesling Eruzione 1614 2022 Planeta

Terre Siciliane IGP Bianco Vivace 2023 Cantine Birgi

Etna Rosso Contrada Pietrarizzo DOC 2021 Tornatore