Small, passionate, tenacious. These are the characteristics of those wine producers who will meet in the former Benedictine monastery in Catania on Sunday 9 June to renew the appointment with “Small is Beautiful”. An intense afternoon in which the external area of the monastery will be animated by the stories of one hundred small Etna producers (with forays into other suitable areas of Sicily, Calabria, Friuli Venezia Giulia and Veneto, the Champagne region) to let those wines be tasted the result of a viticulture that is an absolute expression of the territory and of the stubbornness with which it is maintained and handed down even in “extreme” conditions.
For six years these small producers have been making one possible unique event of its kind – it is the only one that brings winemakers to the historic center of Catania – which has gradually become a fixed appointment for wine lovers who have the opportunity to drink bottles that cannot be found in the large wine events at which small and very small producers, those who have between 5 and the 10 hectares of vineyards, often do not participate due to economic unsustainability. Piccolo è Bello therefore represents the opportunity to make yourself known to the general public. Identity, territories, vines and above all people are the “heart” of PeB, not surprisingly present in the logo of the event.“The idea of Piccolo è Bello has always been to give voice and space to small winemakers – recalls Agata Arancio, creator and soul of the event – I have always thought of it as an event in which everyone could tell about themselves to other interested parties to welcome the testimony of a territory in the words of small producers without necessarily having an archetype in mind. It’s a bit like listening to the radio, there’s music, there’s news, entertainment broadcasts, words, nighttime radio that makes you think… Well, for me a territory should be described like this, full of things different, of different aspects, of different perspectives. It is not just the dutiful exaltation of the different types of wine, but rather the story of what lies behind the adventure of viticulture. This is also why this year we wanted to explore the concept of “extreme” in viticulture, also inviting wineries thousands of kilometers away with which to dialogue in the belief that exchanging knowledge and contaminating experiences can only make us grow”.
The day of June 9th will be divided into a single afternoon-evening. Open doors from 3pm (last entry at 9pm) to wander around the tasting stands not only of wine, but also of agri-food excellence, always declined with the characteristic of small local production companies.The program includes a seminar on oil “Heroic Age” curated by Enzo Signorelli with tasting of Fioi (Italian Federation of Independent Olive Growers) branded oils led by Aiso sommeliers (Italian Association of Oil Sommeliers).Two masterclasses are also planned. The first “Etna in turmoil” on the sparkling wines of Etna, edited by Francesco Chittari and Maurizio Micari, teachers of the Italian Sommelier Foundation (chaired by Paolo di Caro). The second masterclass is on Champagne and will be hosted by Manlio Giustiniani, one of the leading champagne experts in Italy.Still. New this year is a section called “Grafts” with 6 introductory events scheduled until Friday 7th in wine bars and restaurants in Catania where gourmet enthusiasts will be able to meet the producers and taste their wines with matching products and dishes.Furthermore. For the first time on the 9th there will be a wedding with books, or rather with small publishing celebrated with Peb/Books and with the assignment of “Small is Beautiful” award to the Algra publishing house. An appointment possible thanks to the collaboration with NaxosLegge directed by Fulvia Toscano. There is also space for the book “The Soul of Sauté”, from the recipe books of Maria Vagliasindi, Rosanna Romeo del Castello and Chiara Vigo (Torri del Vento editions). The authors will be present at Piccolo è Bello for the copy signing.Among the guests of this sixth edition are the actors Aldo Baglio And Silvana Fallisia couple in life and art who a few years ago decided to return to live in Buccheri, a “small” municipality in the Syracuse area included in the circuit of the most beautiful villages in Italy. Finally, as a sign of constant attention to the issue of gender violence, “Piccolo è Bello” will donate part of the ticket proceeds to the newborn Marisa Leo Associationactivist, “woman of wine”, marketing and communications manager of the Colomba Bianca company killed last September by her ex. At Piccolo è Bello there will be no shortage of music with the concert by Alfredo Longo (guitar) and Floriana Pappa (vocals) at 7.30 pm, on the stage in the Benedettini courtyard. “Small is Beautiful” is entirely self-financed.Info, details, tickets and masterclass booking on www.piccoloebello.com Piccolo è bello’s main partners are Banca Generali Private, Aenologica, AcquaFontalba, Millesuoli, Todo noleggi, Acireale; Virauto Catania; Etna Catering.
The event enjoys the patronage of the Municipality of Catania; Consortium for the Protection of Etna DOC wines; Etna Wine and Flavor Route; Sicily Women of Wine Association; Order of agronomists and forestry doctors of the province of Catania; Slow Food Catania; Sicily newspaper. Technical partners: “Giovanni Falcone” professional hotel institute, Giarre; Filippo Eredia Agricultural Technical Institute, Catania; Fis, Aiso. Media Partner Wine Register.
