ROME – On Tuesday, Assovini Sicilia, an association for the global promotion of quality Sicilian wine, presented the results of a recent report conducted with the University of Messina, concluding that they have ‘met their challenge’ for cultivating a thriving wine scene on the island. 'The Sicilian Wine Renaissance begins with Assovini Sicilia', commented Mariangela Cambria, president of the group. 

 Assovini, founded in 1998, is now composed of 101 associated wineries on the island, which together produced a staggering 47.6 million bottles in 2023. These associated labels of Assovini are united in a mission to promote and develop Sicily’s wine industry – from the family businesses that produce it to the tourism that thrives on it.

 Once looked down on as a variety of inferior quality, the Sicilian wine industry, with the help of associations like Assovini, has managed to work its way up the global ladder in recent years, its ‘USP’ being the great variety of flavours that come from its different regions. According to Assovini, Sicily is more of a ‘continent’ than an island, with its diverse range of territories and soil types lending its wine exciting and unique flavours.  

 Assovini aims to facilitate sustainable production, develop digital marketing techniques for wineries, and unite labels under common end-product standards. Another key goal is to encourage a new generation of wine enthusiasts who can continue Sicily’s production. According to the recent report conducted in partnership with the University of Messina, this goal has been met – 78% of the interviewed wineries have a new generation under 40.

 But for Assovini the successes keep coming. 65% of their wineries have invested in renewable energy, whilst 63% either have obtained or are in the process of obtaining certification for sustainable practices. When it comes to the growing industry of wine tourism, 84.8% of their associates have already implemented tourist services, from wine trekking and yoga to concerts and festivals, whilst the remaining 15.2% are in the planning stages. 95.7% offer at least a tasting experience.

 And as for the all-important sales figures, the surveyed labels came back with largely positive results. 58.7% of the brands have noted an increase in sales in recent years, with 32.6% describing them as stable, and only 8.7% as declining.

 After the presentation of the survey results, Assovini invited guests at Rome’s Foreign Press Club to try a selection of their labels, paired with typical Sicilian dishes prepared by a team of award-winning chefs. Both the survey and the happy diners would conclude that Sicily has a lot to offer when it comes to wine and food.

 dabj