Sicily Focus
Sicily will always have a special place in our Natural Wine hearts. Having travelled to the island many times, and staying on Mount Etna for a month visiting producers like Frank Cornelissen and others, we feel intimately connected to the grapes, cuisine and people perhaps more so than other Italian regions ... read more below!
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CHF 31.81incl. Swiss VATCHF 29.54at checkout
ARCAI Anfora Rosso 2020 (RARE)
Porta Del Vento
Beautiful, rich Sicilian red
CHF 19.56incl. Swiss VATCHF 18.16at checkout
SP68 Rosso 2022
Arianna Occhipinti
Cult favourite from Sicily
CHF 26.20incl. Swiss VATCHF 24.33at checkout
I Vigneri Rosso 2021
I Vigneri di Salvo Foti
Smokey, clove, black fruit, tobacco
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CHF 22.46incl. Swiss VATCHF 20.85at checkout
Susucaru 2020
Frank Cornelissen
Yep, the one you saw on TV
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CHF 149.70incl. Swiss VATCHF 139.00at checkout
Serragghia ONDA 2022
Gabrio Bini
Syrah with 600 bottles made
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CHF 252.62incl. Swiss VATCHF 234.56at checkout
Serraghia RISERVA Giotto (300 bottles made)*
Gabrio Bini
Carignan from Panetelleria
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CHF 60.82incl. Swiss VATCHF 56.47at checkout
Frappato MAGNUM
Arianna Occhipinti
Soulful, Sicilian Red
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CHF 23.30incl. Swiss VATCHF 21.63at checkout
Nerello Mascalese Rosso 2020
Ayunta
Leather. Liuorice. Blackcurrant.
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CHF 63.63incl. Swiss VATCHF 59.08at checkout
Munjebel CR 2016
Frank Cornelissen
Etna 735m above sea level
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CHF 34.61incl. Swiss VATCHF 32.14at checkout
Munjebel Rosso 2020
Frank Cornelissen
"The Famous Etna One"
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CHF 63.63incl. Swiss VATCHF 59.08at checkout
Munjebel CS 2018
Frank Cornelissen
Lower Altitude. Very Rocky.
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A shift from quantity to quality
Sicily has a history of sending bulk wine for blending to France, and this lack of focus meant vines were not trimmed down or well-looked after to ensure higher quality grapes. Instead, grapes were seen as a currency - the more quantity, the more revenue. Quality was not really on people’s minds...
That's why at first, locals thought new producers like Frank Cornelissen (a Belgian) were crazy, cutting up to a third of the amount of grapes from the vines in order to force more concentration into the remaining bunch. But when local producers saw the higher prices new Etna winemakers’ bottles were commanding, showing the grapes made properly over the past 20 years, the whole attitude shifted.
That's why at first, locals thought new producers like Frank Cornelissen (a Belgian) were crazy, cutting up to a third of the amount of grapes from the vines in order to force more concentration into the remaining bunch. But when local producers saw the higher prices new Etna winemakers’ bottles were commanding, showing the grapes made properly over the past 20 years, the whole attitude shifted.
A range of Sicilian producers and wine styles
While best known for powerful and tannic red wines with depth and soul, some Sicilian producers are also focusing on more modern, easy drinking styles (and some offer both) - in either case, the best expression of Sicily's unique terroir is important. Winemakers tend to focus on native grapes like Nerello Mascalese, Frappato, Grillo, Nero d'Avola and Zibbibo, however there is also use of less regional-specific grapes such as Syrah and Trebbiano.
Popular natural wine producers in Sicily include:
• Frank Cornelissen
• Porta del Vento
• Gabrio Bini
• Abbazia san Giorgio
• Ayunta
• Aldo Viola
• Arianna Occhipinti
• Nino Barraco
• Vino di Anna
• COS
Popular natural wine producers in Sicily include:
• Frank Cornelissen
• Porta del Vento
• Gabrio Bini
• Abbazia san Giorgio
• Ayunta
• Aldo Viola
• Arianna Occhipinti
• Nino Barraco
• Vino di Anna
• COS
