Saturday Wine Workshop: Sicily

Sicily is one of the world’s fifty largest islands, which means it boasts an incredible number of microclimates. Vines grow all over the island, from the seaside Trapani to the volcanic slopes of Mt. Etna. Temperatures, altitude, rainfall, and soil type vary significantly, contributing to a uniquely diverse terroir, the influence of which is woefully unappreciated by wine professionals. While Piedmont and Tuscany continue to hold sway over the wine world’s collective appreciation for Italian wines, and the beauty of a well made Barolo or Brunello is undeniable, Sicily represents the viticultural top tier of Italy’s lesser known wine regions.

While Sicily has a historical precedent for fine wine production dating back centuries (Julius Ceasar purportedly was a fan, as was Pliney the Elder) the 20th century brought the same identity crisis to the island that it did to almost all the small fine wine producing areas of Europe. The allure of EU subsidies and the thirst for wines made from international varieties caused the local winemakers to uproot or ignore their potentially high quality old vine vineyards of indigenous cultivars for the sake of making wines that were perceived as being more accessible to the modern wine drinking palate.

But Sicilians are fiercely attached to their roots and traditions, and happily, the change never took hold completely. Coupled with continued experimentation and education, producers who truly appreciated their local grapes began to observe how they behaved in the various different microclimates on the island, refining the potential of grapes like Cattarato, Grillo, Perricone, Nero d’Avola, and Nerello Mescallese to make truly fine wine; the great terroirs of Sicily, from Etna to Faro to Vittoria, are now gaining international recognition. So come explore a wine region with us that is continuing to progress in leaps and bounds, and indulge an appreciation for a rich viticultural experience that will only get better with each passing year.

• Donnafugata, Grillo Sicilia DOC ‘Sur Sur’, 2016   $22
• Graci, Etna Bianco DOC, 2016   $29
• Planeta, Cerasuolo di Vittoria DOCG, 2015   $25
• Donnafugata, Nero d’Avola Sicilia DOC ‘Sherazade’, 2016   $23
• Murgo, Etna Rosso DOC Nerello Mascalese, 2016   $19
• Passorosso, Etna Rosso DOC Nerello Mascalese, 2015   $42

The Tasting Table will be open 3.00pm-5.00pm
Reservations are not required.
$5 Tasting Fee.
Purchase $50 of wine and receive a $5 credit.