May 03, 2017 acclaimed italian winemaker angelo gaja is set to make his first wines on the slopes of mount etna in sicily after joining forces with local producer alberto graci. The 5 best books about sicily the slow road travel blog. Sicilys mount etna cant stop the wine the seattle times. Auntie poldi and the vineyards of etna by mario giordano. Aug 04, 2017 etna is an italian wine doc which covers the slopes of mount etna, the 3330 meter 10,920ft active volcano that dominates the northeastern corner of sicily. Wine tours among the vineyards of the etna doc wine production sites. Yet slowly, the whites of sicily, particularly those grown in the foothills of mount etna, have been earning attention as among the most distinctive. Apr 25, 2016 get your passport ready, because youll want to book a flight to sicily after reading this book. Etna finder, etna tour, hiking excursion, wine tour.
See a different side of sicily with this tour of mt. The wines of etna excellence from an extreme production zone. Not many americans go here, which is why you should. The power of terroir in sicilys volcanic white wines. To me, sicily has always been a magical place, full of unexpected. The etna doc was the very first in sicily, created in august 1968 and followed nine months later by that of sicily s most famous wine, marsala. Book ahead for a tour of the vineyard and winery, followed by a tasting. Sicily wine tour the wine travel specialist bkwine. Nerello mascalese nairrello maskahlayzay is a lightbodied red wine that primarily grows on the slopes of mount etna in sicily.
It is a unique way of undertaking wine tourism, of moving along the etna wine road, and of discovering, in complete freedom, the loveliest cellars of the zone. To me, sicily has always been a magical place, full of unexpected encounters and serendipity. Find yourself at a wine cellar on the slopes of the etna surrounded by vineyards. In recent decades the wine industry has improved, new winemakers are experimenting with lessknown native varietals, and sicilian wines have become better known. The antiquity of etnas heroic vines and stories of rediscovery are depicted beautifully. Read about the finest examples of white and red wines from this area. Sep 28, 2012 i shot this video for in september 2012 during a visit to the mount etna doc, a wine region in sicily which is in very close proximity to the mount etna volcano. Mount etna, which literally gave rise to sicily, is one of europes most accessible active volcanoes. The power of terroir in sicilys volcanic white wines the.
Nero davola, for example, makes powerful yet fresh wines. It was to include the vineyards and meeting with a sommelier. Recommended books about sicily peter sommer travels. Sicily is a behemoth in the wineproducing world, producing more wine than australia. Aug 02, 2016 sicilys mount etna cant stop the wine originally published august 2, 2016 at 6. Oct 15, 2019 the market was soon awash with lowquality, lowpriced sicilian wine. By daphne phelps this richly told memoir finds its start in 1947 when daphne an english woman arrives to the small sicilian town of taormina to appraise a property she has inherited and assumes she will sell. Jan 05, 2017 sicily, italy best wine destinations 2017. Why sicilys mount etna is a hot spot for wine production firriato cavanera etnea estate, sicily between 1786 and 1788 german philosopher johann. The region is known mainly for fortified marsala wines.
Why sicilys mount etna is a hot spot for wine production. They have their own unique grape varieties that give wines filled with fruit and freshness. Etna is a region within the catania province of the italian island of sicily. About the author benjamin spencer is an american journalist, author, wine judge, and the founder of the etna wine school in sicily. Amy wislock discovers etna wines at the decanter italy encounter. Savor a traditional sicilian lunch including seasonal specialties at one of mount etnas culinary hot spots.
The new wines of mount etna captures how etna has become one of the wine worlds most sought after and important wine regions. Tripadvisor etna wine tour provided by sicily day by day. Here on the coast of sicily, at altitudes of nearly 11,000 feet. It was advertised as a small group tour including a walking tour of the first town, 7 wine tastings at 2 stops, brunch and lunch. The new wines of mount etna is all you need to make your own. Then you can start reading kindle books on your smartphone, tablet, or computer no kindle device required. As long as humans have lived and farmed in proximity to mount etna. Skiing on mount etna experience a 4x4 land rover trip on etna the power and romance of mount etna, at 3,350m almost 10,950ft the tallest active volcano in europe, and undoubtedly the dominating feature of the eastern part of sicily, have attracted the attention of travellers, artists, poets and philosophers for centuries. First, and i believe, foremost, this is a specific district that is bringing attention to sicily.
Angelo gaja, famed for his piemontese wines, has bought 21 hectares ha of land on the lesserknown southwest slopes of sicilys mount etna through a 5050 joint venture with. The mediterraneans largest island, sicily, is enjoying a revival of its highquality wine industry, from etna in the east to marsala in the west. This article is part three in a series on sicilian foods, wines, and culture. From highaltitude, volcanic vineyards come wines with attitude making wine in the shadow of a volcano. Yet slowly, the whites of sicily, particularly those grown in the foothills of mount etna, have been earning attention as. Offering a guide and map to exploring sicily, bill nesto, an expert in italian wine, and frances di savino, a student of italian culture, deliver a substantive appreciation of a vibrant wine region that is one of europes most historic areas and. Cheers to mario giordano for making me laugh, and cheers also to john brownjohn for a warm and humorous translation. For around two months it is the sole subject of conversation.
A beginners guide to the wines of sicily wine enthusiast. A cable car whisks you halfway up the mountain, and from there, you can hop on a monstertruck bus nearly all the way to the smoldering summit. Organizes excursions, hiking and guided jeep tour on mount etna and in sicily. Dedicated to the most exclusive wine estates, this volume is a wonderful journey along the wine routes of sicily with special attention to the rising stars of the etna valley. We organize hiking tour of etna as well as guided tours of catania, taormina and siracusa. Ten percent of all cultural beauties of italy are in sicily. The wine route samuele mazza, riccardo cotarella, elena berlinghieri on. Benantis brutal comeback in sicilian wine wine spectator. Etna and wine tour from catania catania, italy activities. We will pick you up at your accommodation with one of our offroad vehicles including the popular land rover 110 and heading in the direction of the volcano. The power of terroir in sicilys volcanic white wines the new. Apr 16, 2019 the mediterraneans largest island, sicily, is enjoying a revival of its highquality wine industry, from etna in the east to marsala in the west. Explore timeless vineyards and sample wines from the mount etna doc wine region, and learn how to pair wines with regional cuisine. This excursion journeys to old craters and lava flow caves, and is perfect.
The open geographic location has been home to many cultures and civilizations since pretty much the dawn of time, starting with the greeks, who first planted wine grapes there since the 8th century bc. We booked this privately through sicily day by days website. Enjoy the finest drops during a wine tasting of different etna doc wines, which derive from the nerello mascalese grape. Despite its rarity, the wine offers amazing value and a taste profile thats often likened to fine pinot. On top of those wonders, sicily makes fantastic wines from native and international grapes. After the visit of the vineyard and the wine tasting, a light lunch will be served. An introduction to the wines of sicily with map vinepair. Book the experience of the etna wine train, visit etna wineries. And yet, given that it only terminated in these last few days and, with a calendar in hand, it lasted three full months, it is rather natural to think. Uncork mount etna spring 2016 sicilian wine and food tour. The world of sicilian wine and millions of other books are available for amazon kindle. Sicily, italy best wine destinations 2017 wine enthusiast. Take a close look at the exploding wine scene on sicilys iconic volcano, mount etna, and experience the excitement first hand. The region is known for its excellent conditions due to its fertile, volcanic soil.
Sights and attractions in mount etna, sicily my guide sicily. Sicily s soils, and the mountains from which they came, are of particular interest when it comes to studying the islands viticulture. Dec 09, 2018 the etna production zone in northeastern sicily is one of extreme viticulture, given the soils that are of volcanic origin. He saw sicily, and mount etna in particular, as not living up to their viticultural potential. Jul 18, 2019 sicily, like the rest of italy, has long been known as red wine territory.
The texture is vibrant and with soft, supple tannins, remin. A wine tour to the splendours of sicily, the wine, the food and the sunshine sicily is becoming one of the hot wine regions in italy. Feb 03, 2016 from the ancient vineyards of burgundy, we travel to the newly emerging region of etna in sicily. Top 10 sicily travel tips camerons travels rick steves europe. In fabulous and unique settings, and with knowledgeable guides, including the winemakers themselves, enjoy the best pairing of the regions wine and food. Jul 25, 2019 for wine geeks, the place of pilgrimage in sicily is mount etna. But by the early 21st century, the grape had largely been. Learn about the wines of sicily with our helpful introduction to the islands red and white grapes and regions. Etna, which is the focus of one of our sicily wine tours, is located in the east. A sicilian wine odyssey at table and millions of other books are. Part one of this series was a focus on sicily as the new darling of wine culture. Sicily is the third largest wine producer in italy the worlds largest wine producer after veneto and emilia romagna.
Dive into the pure nature of sicily and taste high quality. May 21, 2019 about etna sicily guide day tours etna sicily guide is an association founded in catania by a group of enthusiast and expert etna explorers. Etna sicily guide day tours catania 2020 all you need. Enter your mobile number or email address below and well send you a link to download the free kindle app. Vintage 2017 according to giacomo ansaldi wine in sicily. These lavastrewn slopes have drawn those who enjoy the challenge of extreme winemaking and the area has become a contemporary.
Book release the new wines of mount etna, by benjamin spencer dipwset, is now. Landscapes of sicily, a countryside guide in usa peter amann the best walking guide to the island. Discover one of the most active volcanoes in the world and the mystery of sicilian wines with the mount etna wine tour. The world of sicilian wine provides wine lovers with a comprehensive understanding of sicilian wine, from its ancient roots to its modern evolution. All this is possible thanks to a special initiative of the circumetnea railway and the etna wine train. Part two of this series was a focus on the young, dominating wine industry of the etna doc denominazione di origine controllata on east coast of sicily, on and around mount etna. They have peculiar names, wonderful aromas and amazing flavors that are fresh and unforgettable, explains benjamin spencer, an american expat living in sicily, director of the etna wine school and the author of the forthcoming book, the new wines of mount etna.
With the etna train you will discover the etna wine roads where you can discover the most beautiful wineries of the area and taste the wines of etna. Sicily wine tours etna wine tour sicily wine tasting. Happily, the movement to reverse this reputation is well underway, and sicily is now one of italys most promising and interesting wine regions. The ultimate east coast itinerary for wine lovers additional mount etna wineries.
This doc etna red wine is made from ancient bush vines of nerello mascalese and nerello cappuccio grapes growing on the northeast side of mount etna, and is aged in casks for one year. A complete range of tourist services for all those who choose sicily as a destination for holidays. Taste local honey and explore the colorful piscaria fish market. With this book, the authors have given sicily and its wines an exceptional tribute they have succeeded in making the story of sicilian wine both understandable. Jan 23, 2017 benanti began as the hobby of wine loving giuseppe benanti, now 71, a thirdgeneration catania pharmacist who built a successful international ophthalmological products company. Among italys numerous and vibrant wine regions, the mount etna region in northeastern sicily seems an unlikely site for producing any wines let alone quality wines. The ultimate east coast itinerary for wine lovers wine. Enjoy breathtaking views and taste the wines of one of the best wineries of the area, all while on the highest active volcano of europe. With this book, the authors have given sicily and its wines an exceptional tributethey have succeeded in making the story of sicilian wine both understandable. Most wineries are near the coast, but for example the wellknown tenuta regaleali is in the centre of the island, in a dramatic, mountainous landscape.
Auntie poldi and the vineyards of etna is easily one of the funniest books ive read recently. Blue guide sicily ellen grady edited and revised in 2012 by michael metcalfe, the guide on this tour and our italy specialist, this is the best archaeological and cultural guide to the island currently in print. The etna production zone in northeastern sicily is one of extreme viticulture, given the soils that are of volcanic origin. In centuries past, according to ian dagatas excellent book native wine grapes of italy, carricante was grown all over sicily. Jun 22, 2018 visit mount etna for its amazing volcanic sights and its wine. From the craggy vineyards of mount etna to the tiny moscatoproducing island. Excursions etna, excursions in sicily, taormina and syracuse. Andrea franchetti, who came to sicily from tuscany to challenge the volcano, was one of the first winemakers to believe in the wine of mt. A guide to exploring sicilian wines italy magazine. Benjamin says that sicily is a working museum of wine because some winemaking.
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