Scala dei Turchi, Sicily

Today I traveled to see one of the most stunning natural sights in Sicily “Scala dei Turchi” and it was definitely worth the visit!

The Name
The Turkish Steps, or sometimes called the “Stair of the Turks” is translated from the Italian name la Scala dei Turchi and is one of the most stunning natural sights in Sicily and apparently one of the most photographed.

The Origin or Legend
The Turkish Steps are located along the eastern coastline of Sicily in the Agrigento province. These cliffs were named in the 1500s when pirate raids were common along the coastline, and according to legend, it was once a shelter for Turkish ships plundering along the Sicilian coastline.

How Did These Cliffs Form?
This unique sedimentary rock or marl consisting of clay and lime gives the formation it’s amazing dazzling white color and features. Over millions of years, the waves and wind have eroded the cliffs giving them the distinctive soft, sloping curves, which are among the most beautiful in the Mediterranean.

Scala dei Turchi officially became an official UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2007.

#travelsicily #siciliaenprimeur2022 #siciliaenprimeur #sicily #Sicilia #travelling #instadaily #traveler #travelgram #traveling #AssoviniSicilia #sicilytourism #UNESCO #ScaladeiTurchi

Sicilia en Primeur 2022: April 27 to May 1

From April 27 to May 1, the town of Erice is hosting the most important Sicilian wine event. “Sicily has proven to be able to govern the climate change and it is a candidate for pioneer and leader in sustainable viticulture 4.0 even in the new context related to climate change”

I’m absolutely thrilled to participate this year in the 2022 Sicilia en Primeur! This year it is back is back in the historic medieval town of Erice for the 18th edition.

This year the theme is: “Back to the roots, Sicily experiencing the future”, this not only represents a message of sustainability of the Sicilian wine production, but it is also representing the future of Sicily’s viticulture.

Besides presenting a preview of the wines of the previous vintage, the event was organized by Assovini Sicilia, who also introduce the Italian and international press to the extraordinary variety of wines with a series of tastings of 500 wines from Assovini Sicilia associate wineries.

Sicilia en Primeur is also an opportunity to promote Sicily’s viticultural and historical-archaeological heritage through wine tours hosting national and foreign press, to emphasize that the binomial wine and culture is an increasingly winning drive in Sicily.

“The topic chosen for this edition, “Back to the roots. Sicily experiencing the future”, takes on a significant and actual value because it puts the Sicilian wine production at the center of the debate on climate change, and nominates the island as a pioneer in sustainable viticulture 4.0 also in this new context, says Mr Laurent de la Gatinais, President of Assovini Sicilia. Thanks to its privileged position, its pedoclimatic and geopedological characteristics, continues Mr de la Gatinais – Sicily proves to be capable of ruling the consequences of climate change. The ability of producers and of the Sicilian territory to adjust to certain extreme conditions over the years – from lack of water to high temperatures- has allowed them to acquire a know-how which is today the base of a Sicilian model of sustainable viticulture, as well as the key to success. Variables such as biodiversity, good traditional practices, current and sustainable agronomic techniques and indigenous varieties play a fundamental role in the future of Sicilian viticulture. All these elements, combined with research, study, experimentation and the quality of production, make Sicily a unique wine laboratory and a leader in the sustainable management of climate change”- concludes Mr de la Gatinais.

In this edition and after two years of absence, Italian and international journalists started wine tours April 27 and will end on April 29 followed by all meeting up on April 30 with the conference and opening ceremony of Sicilia en Primeur 2022. Numerous speakers will give their technical-scientific contribution to the topic of Sicilia en Primeur “Back to the roots. Sicily experiencing the future”, including professor Antonio Zoccoli, (President of the National Institute of Nuclear Physics – “There is no wine without neutrino”), Professor Marco Moriondo (Institute of Bioeconomics of CNR in Florence “Climate change: observed and expected impacts on viticulture”) and the enologist Mattia Filippi (Uva Sapiens “The good practices of Sicilian wine companies following climate change”). The latest news includes a special focus on Catarratto, with the masterclass held by Professor Nicola Francesca “Catarratto: Time and Altitude giving Birth to the Beauty of an Aroma”.

The première of the wines from the latest vintage will be at the center of the walk-around tasting, which has always been an opportunity of confrontation and meeting between the press and Assovini Sicilia producers.

The technical tasting organized by AIS (Italian Sommelier Association) scheduled on May 1st, will be the final event for Sicilia en Primeur 2022.

“Sicilia en Primeur is an important event for the Sicilian wine sector because it represents its excellence. Assovini Sicilia plays a fundamental role in spearheading new solutions and understanding the challenges. Today, over 94% of the wine sector is represented by three pillars: Assovini Sicilia, the Consorzio di Tutela vini DOC Sicilia and the Fondazione SOStain Sicilia. Together, we can lead the change” states. Mr. de la Gatinais, President of Assovini Sicilia.

#winesofsicily #sicilianwines #italianwines #travelsicily #siciliaenprimeur2022 #siciliaenprimeur
#DocSicilia #ViniDocSicilia #SiciliaDoc #Sicilia #Sicily #SicilyWine #WineofSicily #DrinkSicily #sicilianwine #sicilianwines #vinosiciliano #vinosicilia #vinisiciliani #winelovers #wineexperience #travelling #instadaily #winetravels #winetourism #traveler #travelgram #winetasting #wineinfluencer #wineadventures #traveldiary #traveling#italianwine #italianwinelovers #AssoviniSicilia #erice2022

The première of the wines from the latest vintage will be at the center of the walk-around tasting, which has always been an opportunity of confrontation and meeting between the press and Assovini Sicilia producers.

The technical tasting organized by AIS (Italian Sommelier Association) scheduled on May 1st, will be the final event for Sicilia en Primeur 2022.

“Sicilia en Primeur is an important event for the Sicilian wine sector because it represents its excellence. Assovini Sicilia plays a fundamental role in spearheading new solutions and understanding the challenges. Today, over 94% of the wine sector is represented by three pillars: Assovini Sicilia, the Consorzio di Tutela vini DOC Sicilia and the Fondazione SOStain Sicilia. Together, we can lead the change” states. Mr. de la Gatinais, President of Assovini Sicilia.

#winesofsicily #sicilianwines #italianwines #travelsicily #siciliaenprimeur2022 #siciliaenprimeur
#DocSicilia #ViniDocSicilia #SiciliaDoc #Sicilia #Sicily #SicilyWine #WineofSicily #DrinkSicily #sicilianwine #sicilianwines #vinosiciliano #vinosicilia #vinisiciliani #winelovers #wineexperience #travelling #instadaily #winetravels #winetourism #traveler #travelgram #winetasting #wineinfluencer #wineadventures #traveldiary #traveling#italianwine #italianwinelovers #AssoviniSicilia #erice2022

Discover the Kingdom of Vernaccia di San Gimignano Through the Wine Preview “Anteprima  2022”

March 2022: The Tuscan Previews explore the charming hamlet of San Gimignano. The event was dedicated to Vernaccia di San Gimignano Docg 2021, Vernaccia di San Gimignano Docg Riserva 2020 and the wines of previous vintages that are yet to be released, all accompanied by an impeccable sommelier service. For the occasion, the consortium chose two principal venues: the De Grada Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art for the tasting of the seventy-six wines produced by thirty-five wineries and the Sala Dante in the Palazzo Comunale that will be the location of the 17th edition of the comparative technical-professional tasting series “White Wine and Its Territories”. A day in which the whole town of San Gimignano is coloured “gold” showing off the sense of belonging and sharing of this small piece of land.

2022 marks an important year: fifty years ago, a group of landowners and forward-looking producers gathered to organize a Consortium. The road was paved, and with every passing year, more awareness and determination are put in by the producers enhancing the path of success of the Vernaccia di San Gimignano. It is a place where man and nature have lived together for centuries in a mutual relationship of respect.  It is this indissoluble link to the theme of the tasting because San Gimignano has always been an example of the quality of life, professionalism, and know-how in terms of viticulture. Man brought art, culture and wrote its history, nature gave them the extraordinary Vernaccia Grape, a real “White Queen in the Land of Red Kings”. Surrounded by the city wall of San Gimignano every year professionals and wine lovers have the chance to taste the new vintages of wines made in this fascinating territory.

SAN GIMIGNANO, THE CRADLE OF THE WHITE WINE PRODUCTION IN TUSCANY 

San Gimignano is a small town of Siena, rich in charm and history. The village of San Gimignano is located almost halfway between Florence and Siena (about 60 and 45 km) and is easily reachable by car or a bus. It is a territory situated completely on hills with altitudes of between 200 and 400 m above sea level. The soils are of the Pliocene era, dating back to between 6.8 and 1.8 million years. And it is certainly the composition of the ancient soil that makes the wines produced in this denomination extremely fascinating and complex. The terroir of this area is characterized by the presence of fossils and shells, it is composed of Pliocene soil and clay. These extremely calcareous sediments make the soil ideal to create vigorous and mineral white wines. The surface area of the Municipality of San Gimignano is about 12,500 hectares, 5,600 of which are destined to farm productions (vineyards, olive groves, cereal crops). The San Gimignano hills present variable exposures, altitudes, soil compositions and availability of water, the multiple and sometimes unique combinations of these single factors have, even in such a small area, a significant impact on the characteristics of the wines produced there.

San Gimignano, A Magical Wine Destination 

San Gimignano is definitely a destination worth discovering and visiting. Hidden in the Tuscan countryside, the small “town of the towers” is completely integrated into the gentle nature surrounding it. It is a land characterised by a long farming tradition that dates back to the middle of the 13th century, a place where the experience of wine blends with the history of man on its rolling hills. San Gimignano was a place loved by important nobles and political figures of the past who left the trace of their passage, enriching this unique place with culture and art.

The city of San Gimignano in the first centuries after 1000 AD was embellished with seventy towers and numerous palaces, built by the many wealthy families to display their wealth and power. Still today, fourteen beautiful towers remain to characterize the city centre and making the unique and recognizable silhouette on the crowned hill.

TASTING REPORT 

During my stay at San Gimignano, I have blind tasted all the wines, majestically presented by the Consorzio del Vino Vernaccia di San Gimignano.

Vernaccia di San Gimignano Docg 2021 (40 wines reviewed)

on my radar

Winery:  Fornacelle  

Wine:   Vernaccia di San Gimignano Docg 2021

Pale yellow core with greenish hues. The nose is fresh and fruity with scents of lemon and apricot. Vibrant entrance with medium alcohol. Dry with good acidity and a fruity finish. Lovely wine.

Winery:  Casale Falchini  

Wine:   Vernaccia di San Gimignano Docg 2021 –  Benozzo   

Pale straw core with a watery rim. Intense flavour of ginger with scent of apricot.

Dry, fragrant palate with good acidity. Rich and elegant aftertaste. I enjoy it!

Winery:  Guicciardini Strozzi  

Wine:   Vernaccia di San Gimignano Docg 2021 –  Villa Cusona

Brilliant, deep yellow colour. Intense bouquet of lemon and jasmine flowers with a hint of mint. Fragrant entrance, round with ripe fruit and good acidity.  Well structured, mineral and complex.  I like it very much.

Winery:  Fattoria di Fugnano  

Wine:   Vernaccia di San Gimignano Docg 2021 – Da Fugnano 

Medium yellow core with light hues. The wine displays an intense perfume white grapefruit, and lemon with a light note of mint. Dry, sapid, and intense with lively acidity. Well balanced and harmonious. An excellent wine.

Winery:  Tenuta Le Cancinaie

Wine:   Vernaccia di San Gimignano Docg 2021

Straw coloured with paler rim. Pronounced flavour of pineapple with peachy overtones. Vibrant entrance with medium alcohol. The mouth is intense and fresh with racy acidity. Quite a long finish. A very good wine!

Winery:  La Lastra 

Wine:   Vernaccia di San Gimignano Docg 2021

Brilliant, yellow colour. Intense bouquet of lemon and jasmine flowers with a hint of petrol. Fragrant entrance, round with ripe fruit and high acidity. Well-structured, mineral, and quite complex. I really like it!

Vernaccia di San Gimignano Docg 2020 (12 wines reviewed)

on my radar

Winery:  Montenidoli   

Wine:   Vernaccia di San Gimignano Docg 2020 – Fiore 

Pale yellow core with greenish hues. The bouquet is intense and ample with notes of grapefruit and apricot with scents of ginger. Dry with good acidity and a fruity, long finish with pleasant light notes of almond. A great wine.

Winery:  Panizzi 

Wine:   Vernaccia di San Gimignano Docg 2020 – Vigna Santa Margherita  

Yellow core, lighter on the edge. Intense flavour of citrus fruit and green apple with light floral notes. Dry with lovely acidity which matches a good alcohol level. The aftertaste is persistent A fine, charming wine!

Winery:  Cesani 

Wine:   Vernaccia di San Gimignano Docg 2020 – Clamys 

Straw yellow core. The wine expresses a beautiful bouquet of lime and orange peel with overtones of thyme. Fresh, balanced palate with good persistence. The acidity matches well with the fruit. A delicious wine!

Vernaccia di San Gimignano Docg 2020 Riserva (4 wines reviewed).

on my radar

Winery:  Signano     

Wine:   Vernaccia di San Gimignano Docg 2020 Riserva – La Ginestra

Clean with a beautiful nose of apricot and mango with flowery overtones and a hint of almond. Medium body with crispy acidity and lovely sapidity. The alcohol is well balanced with the fruit, elegant aftertaste. A fine wine with aging potential.

Vernaccia di San Gimignano Docg 2019 Riserva (10 wines reviewed).

on my radar

Winery:  Cappella Sant’Andrea  

Wine:   Vernaccia di San Gimignano Docg 2019 Riserva – Prima Luce

Clear gold yellow core with paler reflections. Intriguing nose with flavour of pear and matured fruit with a hint of almond. Lovely, creamy palate with present acidity and good persistence. Lovely wine.

Winery:  Il Colombaio di Santa Chiara   

Wine:   Vernaccia di San Gimignano Docg 2019 Riserva – L’albereta 

Medium yellow core with paler rims. It expresses nice aromas of lemon and peach mixed with light notes of acacia. It is vibrant and structured to the palate with harmonious and fresh finish. Good aging potential.

Record Number of Wine Regions to Exhibit at London Wine Fair

The London Wine Fair will take place June 7 to 9 this year and is on track to host an unprecedented number of wine-producing countries this year. Along with all the large wine-producing countries and organizations, participants can also expect to see emerging regions.

Among the first-time exhibitors are Murcia & Galicia, Armenia, Romania and Portuguese region, Setubal. Wines of Ukraine will also have a special destination stand in the heart of the Trading Floor to showcase Ukrainian wines. As winemakers from Ukraine are unlikely to be able to attend due to the ongoing conflict. The stand will also be hosted by international wine industry professionals, including Sarah Abbot MW, Brad Horne, and Irina Gridina, who have volunteered to help champion the country’s wines. Several Ukrainian wineries have already sent their wines, which are currently being shipped to the UK.

Wines of Armenia, exhibiting for the first time this year, will occupy a pavilion hosting 13 wineries, while Setubal, a region south of Lisbon and which borders Tejo, will also have a strong and exciting presence with offerings from 11 wineries.

Wine Australia will be making a triumphant return, having not exhibited for more than a decade; they will bring 26 wineries over to exhibit – all of them looking to export to the UK for the first time.

ProChile is also returning, and France, Italy and Spain will all have a sizeable presence at the fair this year. Additionally, Wines of Georgia, and Greece will be back, with highlights including wines from Crete and Central Macedonia.

Overall, there will be 30 wine-producing countries attending, making the 40th London Wine Fair the biggest and most comprehensive yet.

Event director Hannah Tovey said: “We are around two months out from the doors opening and the show is filling up beautifully. The offering has never been so broad, with huge scope for visitors to discover new territories, producers and wines, alongside a raft of spirits, beers, ciders and non-alcoholic drinks.”

For further details: https://www.londonwinefair.com/

#londonwinefair #winefair #winelovers #winetasting #winenews #wineeducation #london #londonwine #LWF22 #womeninwine#wineevent #winetime #vin #wine #winebusiness #wineandfood #winetrade #winetourism

 

The Wine Business Institute Celebrates 25 Years on May 31st

The Wine Business Institute, of the School of Business and Economics, at Sonoma State University will be celebrating its 25th anniversary on Tuesday, May 31st, 2022, at the Wine Spectator Learning Center.

Twenty-five years ago, forward-thinking leaders envisioned a new kind of partnership between academia and the wine industry, and the resulting vision became the Wine Business Institute at Sonoma State University. Founded in 1996 as a brainchild of Gary Heck of Korbel Champagne Cellars and Sonoma State, “We wanted to create a program that would prepare the next generation to run our businesses, a viable succession plan for the wine industry. Great grapes and great wine were already the norm.  Professionalizing the business of wine was the next frontier to tackle“ explains Mr. Heck. “Over the past 25 years, our faculty has built the most comprehensive suite of wine business education in the world with the support of our wine industry, generous donors and board members,” noted Ray Johnson, WBI executive director. “Today our alumni occupy positions of leadership across the wine industry value chain, in organizations large and small.”

“The WBI is an exemplar of successful collaboration between industry and academia,” said Jean-Francois Coget, dean of the School of Business and Economics, within which hosts the WBI. “We will continue to provide diverse talent for the business side of the wine industry and conduct research and other activities that can help the industry address its keenest opportunities and challenges.”

Sonoma State’s School of Business and Economics is the first in the United States to offer an undergraduate degree (since 1998), an MBA (since 2008), an Executive MBA (since 2012) and a new Global EMBA (since 2020) focused on the business of wine. In addition to the degree programs, the WBI offers professional certifications in subjects such as Wine Business Data Analytics, Wine Business Management and Wine Entrepreneurship.  The institute regularly brings together wine industry leaders to discuss the opportunities and challenges in the current landscape and those on the horizon.

Looking back on the past 25 years, the WBI celebrates three major achievements: the awarding of 257 Wine MBAs, the launch of the Global Wine EMBA, and the opening of the Wine Spectator Learning Center.

 

#wine #winebusiness #wineeducation #winenews #wineeconomics #winestudy #winemaking

#winelovers #sommlife #wset #wineknowledge