Sicily

Raise a Glass

In a country where wine flows like water, drinking is a celebration of the everyday. The Sicilians have turned the aperitivo into an art form – but that’s not all. Say “Cin cin” to beguiling artisanal birra, vivacious wines and carefully crafted spirits.

t Cloudy limoncello garnished with perfect round orange slices

High Spirits

After the plates are cleared, try one of Sicily’s iconic digestivi. Amaro Averna is a palate-cleansing elixir of bitter botanicals based on Benedictine traditions. In the shadow of Mount Etna, choose liquore di fichi d’india (prickly pears), poured over gelato. Try an ice-cold glass of mandarinecello – made with sweet mandarins – after espresso, an ideal ammazzacaffè (coffee killer).

What’s on Tap?

A wave of Sicilian birrifici (microbreweries) are creating world-class artisanal brews inspired by their northern neighbours. Stop by Ballarak tap room (www.ballarak.it) in Palermo to quaff their own doppelbock, using ingredients drawn from the island’s rich heritage. Time your visit with Beer Catania (www.beercatania.it), and tour the island glass by glass.

The Appealing Aperitivo

Ah, the aperitivo – the alluring, beloved ritual of Sicilian society. Take a pre-prandial glass of DOC Etna and slivers of grilled tuna overlooking the Feudo di Mezzo vines (www.planeta.it). Snaffle cocktails garnished with arancia rossa (blood orange) and garlicky bruschetta in the garden at Timoleone (Via Timoleone 6). An aperitivo is never a substitute for supper, but a prelude of things to come.

On the Road

A network of twelve Wine Roads criss-cross the island. Sip refreshing muscat along the Val di Noto Wine Road. Swig high-altitude nero d’avola on the Etna route. Grab a bicycle and pedal the Erice DOC Wine Road through vine-corduroyed hills, medieval villages, even a salt works, with plenty of wine-tasting stops on the way. Lock up at Fazio Casa Vinicola (www.casavinicolafazio.it) to sample indigenous grapes blended with familiar favourites.

KEEPING IT REAL

In 1962, Italy legislated measures to ensure the quality of its wines, and protect indigenous grapes and cultivation practices. Only certified bottles can be labelled DOCG (controlled and guaranteed designation of origin) and DOC (controlled designation of origin). Cerasuolo di Vittoria is currently Sicily’s only DOCG wine. Produced in Ragusa using native Sicilian grapes frappato and nero d’avola, it has become a Sicilian oenological symbol.

DISCOVER Sicily Your Way

SICILIAN WINES

Marsala

This amber fortified wine has lingering notes of apricot and tamarind.

Nero D’Avola

One of Sicily’s oldest grapes, this full-bodied ruby red is to Sicily what Malbec is to Argentina.

Bianco d’Alcamo

Indigenous Catarratto and Grillo grapes create this refreshing, straw-green Sicilian white.

Passito di Pantelleria

Dessert wine harvested late and dried on cane mats for an intensely sweet flavour.

Novello

This “new wine”, produced after the annual harvest, finds a perfect pairing at every table, for any occasion.