In the misfortune, Sicily was lucky: the news of the investigation into the regional councilor for agriculture Luca Sammartino arrived like a bolt from the blue, but, fortunately, on the last day of Vinitaly, and when the councilor himself had left Verona.
For the rest, it was a very important edition of Vinitaly for Sicily.
Three thousand square metres, 140 cellars, all 12 protection consortia, an incessant daily influx of visitors, buyers, professionals even in the pavilions dedicated to organic production and oil.
ùSicily at Vinitaly 2024 does not only bring with it large numbers but a wealth of credibility now consolidated on its excellent productions. There is a very strong interest not only in wine, cellars, companies, but also in all related industries linked to wine, oil and related tourism. This was demonstrated by the various meetings organized in the meeting hall of the Sicilian Region, with the “Wine and Flavor Routes” of the whole island, the tastings led by the Master of Wine Pietro Russo, the round tables between producers, the previews of the events which will liven up the next few weeks in Sicily. A very rich calendar also in perspective considering that in 2025 Sicily will be in the spotlight as the “European Region of Gastronomy”.
The historic Pavilion 2 was the most visited (after Veneto, the host), thus confirming Sicily among the most charismatic destinations for quality wine but also for the value of human capital that it managed to express in meetings between producers , consumers and buyers, at every tasting, at every glass. Wine is also a question of “people” who work it in the vineyard, who bottle it, who sell it, who know how to describe it. And in these days at Vinitaly, storytelling has been the winning weapon for many large and small producers.
Sicilian oil with the PGI has also witnessed a great record, that of being the first in Italy in terms of the number of certified and controlled bottles. To date, production counts one and a half million bottles (more than those produced by Tuscany, Italy’s historical leader) with the denomination “IGP Sicilia”. A result achieved in a short time which gives the measure of the markets’ attention for our oils, an expression of many identifying cultivars of their respective territories also recognizable for their ability to multiply and enhance flavors when paired with food.
A Vinitaly that will be remembered for the intensity of initiatives and meetings, both technical and cultural. First of all, the culture of respect promoted by the newly formed “Marisa Leo Association”, a wine professional and woman, activist against gender violence, killed on 6 September by her former partner in Marsala. Vinitaly awarded her – in her memory – the prize named after the father of the fair “Angelo Betti”. Another Association born in this 2024 edition was Generazione Next. It brings together the third generations of producers in an ideal continuity which, having roots in the past, is committed to a future vision of Sicilian oenology. A group of young people under 40 who already work within family businesses and who, following the example of Assovini Sicilia, have signed an agreement to work as a team, with a strong female component.
At the center of all the debates was the issue of climate change, to address which Sicilian producers have decided to invest in native varieties, even the “relic” ones, the forgotten ones, such as Vitrarolo, which already have the key in their DNA to survive in situations of water and environmental stress. In this sense, it has been ascertained that some clones of Nero d’Avola and Grillo, historic native vines, can provide valid indications for mitigating the effects of drought.
Another recurring topic is the overtaking – now established – of white wines over reds increasingly chosen by the market, especially by Generation Z who ask for less demanding wines, 30% white, 20% sparkling wine, 4% rosé, limiting the reds at 46% to be declined however on less alcoholic wines. In this sense, the data from Nomisma is eloquent, as in 2023 it established Prosecco from Veneto and white wines from Sicily among the protagonist wines of the growth trend. With the consumption boom oriented towards whites, Sicily is able to respond with wines that are both immediately fresh and drinkable and elegant and long-lived. No less significant is the market share represented by organic wines of which Sicily continues to be the national leader with the largest organic vineyard in Europe.
Confirmation of the strength of the Sicilia brand can be seen, for example, also in the doubling of the number of bottles of Grillo-based wines. Today 23 million are produced, compared to 12 seven years ago. Now the focus is on Catarratto which gave birth to the project of the “Historical Families of Carattatto”, a group of companies that are coming together to team up and revive the vine by making it in a modern way.
“Sicilian wine moves forward on the legs of young people thanks to the visionary work that their grandparents and parents have achieved, transforming the land of bulk wines into an international wine brand. Now let’s leave it to the young people” – declared the director of the regional agriculture department Dario Cartabellotta.
Tags: Sicily wine young popular
