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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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