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

Etna DOC Rosso Contrada Calderara Sottana 2022 Girolamo Russo

Etna Bianco DOC 2024 Cottanera

Etna Rosso DOC 2023 Benanti

Etna Bianco DOC Contrada Pietrarizzo 2023 Tornatore

Etna DOC Bianco Gocce di Rugiada 2019 Montedolce

Terre Siciliane IGT Caro Maestro 2018 Cantine Fina

Etna DOC Rosso Contrada Feudo di Mezzo 2022 Girolamo Russo

Salina IGT Malvasia Capofaro 2024 Tasca d'Almerita

Terre Siciliane IGT Caro Maestro 2019 Cantine Fina

Vino Spumante Rosé Brut Il Frappato Santa Tresa

Etna Rosso DOC Tascante Contrada Pianodario 2020 Tasca d'Almerita

Terre Siciliane IGT Grecanico Pinot Grigio Radici d'Italia Terre Forti

Sicilia DOC Grillo 2024 Doppio Passo

Sicilia DOP Nero d'Avola Appassimento 2024 Zensa

Malvasia delle Lipari Naturale DOC 2023 Hauner

Etna DOC Bianco 2024 Neri

Etna DOC Rosso Contrada Arrigo 2024 Neri

Sicilia DOC Lumera 2025 Donnafugata