Over fifty wines tasted during the masterclass organized by Assovini Sicilia Mariangela Cambria: “With our native grape varieties, we tell the story of a contemporary, identity-driven, and international Sicily”
May 29, 2026 (Palermo, Sicily) — Assovini Sicilia and its members showcased its extraordinary viticultural biodiversity and the richness of its territories to 27 Masters of Wine coming from all over around the world. The nine-day journey across the island involved all Sicilian wine consortia. The Assovini Sicilia event took place on May 27 at the UnaHotels Naxos Beach in Giardini Naxos, featuring a masterclass and a walkaround tasting dedicated to the island’s native varieties; the evening continued with an exclusive dinner at the Mazzarò Sea Palace in Taormina. In total, over 50 wines from associated member companies were tasted.
The theme of the masterclass, led by enologist Patricia Toth, was “From A(ssovin)i to I: the profusion of possibilities in the Sicilian viticulture,” a journey through the infinite nuances of Sicilian viticulture through a selection of wines such as Catarratto, Malvasia delle Lipari, Grillo, Frappato, Nerello Cappuccio, Nocera, and Nero d’Avola—chosen by different production styles and territories of origin, representing the versatility and modernity of the Sicilian wine heritage. “Welcoming the Masters of Wine to Sicily is an important opportunity for international exchange and a strategic moment to communicate the value of our viticulture,” stated the President of Assovini Sicilia, Mariangela Cambria.
“Through the masterclass and other activities included in our program, we wanted to show the extraordinary diversity of wine-growing Sicily: a region able of expressing identity, elegance, and innovation thanks to its native varieties, territories, and the vision of our wine producers. The tour of the Masters of Wine—among the highest qualifications in the wine world—confirms a growing international interest in Sicily as one of the most dynamic viticultural areas in the Mediterranean” – continued Cambria.
Sicilian MW Pietro Russo shared the same thought: “This initiative represents an extraordinary opportunity to tell the story of the contemporary face of Sicilian wine to some of the most authoritative professionals in the global sector. The trip started from an explicit request by the Institute of Masters of Wine and shows a growing international interest in Sicily and its qualitative evolution. It is a project that required nearly two years of work and it turned into nine days of meetings, territories, and tastings, designed to offer an authentic vision of the complexity and diversity of the island’s viticulture. I thank Assovini Sicilia for believing in the initiative and contributing to its realization. I am convinced that our guests will take home an image of Sicilian wine made of strong identities, consolidated quality, and growing ambition”.
This activity represents a further step in the international promotion work carried out by Assovini Sicilia, an association that for over twenty years has brought together the island’s most important producers with the goal of promoting Sicilian wine culture worldwide. The Masters of Wine certainly contribute to strengthening the reputation of denominations and native varieties in foreign markets, providing strategic opportunities for positioning and promotion for the regional wine sector.
