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Sicily report 2023: Latest releases tasted from this extraordinary island

Southern Italy’s best-known island is a hot destination, in more ways than one. The wine scene is constantly shifting and evolving, but it’s worth keeping up with what’s happening, as these are exciting wines that truly reflect their origins. James Button visits the island and tastes more than 300 wines to give Decanter readers a current snapshot.

A complex melange of cultures which folds in elements from its past occupants –ancient Greeks, Romans, Normans and Arabs – Sicily today is one of the most dynamic wine scenes in Italy. Its cuisine, language, architecture and wines are unique.


Scroll down to see tasting notes and scores for eight brand-new wines from Sicily to discover


There’s plenty for a wine lover to delve into on a visit to this extraordinary island: its huge vineyard area – the largest in the country, with 119,268ha of registered vines in 2022 (Istat, 2023) – encompasses more than 70 indigenous grape varieties as well as a healthy percentage of international varieties, planted throughout a multitude of microclimates.

The native varieties especially are incredibly well adapted to Europe’s hottest location, parts of which are further south than Tunis. In the face of relentlessly rising temperatures, Sicily’s indigenous vines are flourishing.

2023: Quality not quantity


Sicily’s ever-changing scene: eight brand-new wines to discover

Over 300 wines tasted for this report: see the full table of scores


Related articles:

Discover Perricone: An indigenous red variety from Sicily, with eight wines to try

Cerasuolo di Vittoria: 50 years of Sicily’s only DOCG wine

Marsala: Diverging paths plus eight bottles worth seeking out

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