January 17, 2025 | singularly sicilian

Singularly Sicilian

Transparently, next week is going to be brutally cold. This has us dreaming of future warm, sun-kissed days and island breezes. So let's color that dreamscape together in real time. Our dream destination? Sicily, the largest island in the Mediterranean, with a winemaking tradition going back potentially 6,000 years. Given its ideal position at the intersection of the Mediterranean, Ionian, and Tyrrhenian seas, the island has a long history of cross-cultural exchange and influence, at times independent and at other times ruled by foreign powers. Indigenous tribes began interacting with the Phoenicians as early as the 11th century BC and the Greeks later colonized the island in the 8th century BC. The Romans entered the chat following a war with Carthage and for 600 years, Sicily was a province of the Roman republic, and later, empire. The Byzantines, Moors, Vikings, Hapsburgs, and Normans all integrated into Sicilian culture and tradition through various transfers of power and colonization. The island did not become a part of the Kingdom of Italy until 1861, after unions with the Spaniard and Bourbon crowns. The island is now Italy's largest wine producing region,with 23 DOCs and 1 DOCG. After a brief period of bulk-production that dominated the 1960s-1980s, Sicily is moving forward with an eye towards authenticity, sustainability, and intentionality. Focusing on indigenous grapes and organic farming, the island is producing banging expressions of their land's distinctive terroir (not all soils are volcanic, but like, when you consider that each eruption of Mt. Etna provides different layered compositions of lava and magma which provide unique layers of soil composition, it's pretty bonkers). Travel with us to the slopes of Mt. Etna and beyond.

Cin Cin.

Our Sicilian Sampler: the 2018 Eudes 'Bianco Di Monte' Etna Bianco DOC, a carricante that would rival a salt-rimmed lemon drop. Next up, the 2022 Eno-Trio Traminer Macerato Terre Siciliane IGT, an electric skin-fermented juice box with some serious grip. The 2017 Eudes 'mileottocentoquaranta' bursts on the palate with its bold tannin and subtle game. Finally, Averna Amaro, because, well, it's delicious.

Tasting from 4-7pm!

Eudes 'Bianco di Monte' Etna Bianco DOC 2018

Eno-Trio Traminer Macerato Terre Siciliane IGT 2022

Eudes 'milleottocentoquaranta' Etna Rosso DOC 2017

Averna Amaro