Sphere
#39
2015
20
<<
Viva Italia!
overlooking vineyards as far as the sea, with
the Egadi Islands beyond, is an experience
and enjoyment that even Dionysus (the god
of wine) would be jealous of.
The land of wines
Italy’s romance with wine predates even
the Roman Empire, dating back to when
much of southern Italy was colonised by the
Greeks, who named the country Enotria –
the Land of Wines.
The one constant across the Roman Empire,
the Middle Ages, the Renaissance, and
subsequent independence, has been Italy’s
commitment to developing a vast array
of grape varieties and cultivating acres of
land dedicated to the vine. The peninsula is
worthy of its historic name today.
In Italy, wines are produced all over the
country, from the Alto Adige in the foothills
of the Alps to the tip of Sicily in the warm
Mediterranean Sea. According to the
International Organisation of Vine and
Wine, Italy has the fourth-largest area of
vineyards at 1,704,000 acres, beaten only
by Spain, China and France.
Italy is also possibly the most diverse
wine-producing country in the world with
over 2,000 indigenous varieties and, more
recently, the emergence of international
varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon and
Chardonnay. There are many classic wines
that are revered internationally, but probably
the most famous are Barolo and Barbaresco
from Piedmont in the north and Chianti
Classico from Tuscany in central Italy.
That’s something you don’t need to explain
to Watson’s Wine. The A S Watson Group’s
wine retailer currently carries around 125
wines from 35 Italian producers. Some of
their most popular wines include Tommasi
Amarone Classico, Fonterutoli Chianti
Classico, Sette Ponti Oreno and Ceretto
Barolo Brunate, all top-class Italian wines
bound to indulge every single taste receptor.
Jeremy Stockman, General Manager for
Watson’s Wine, explains what makes
Italian wines some of the finest in the world:
“No other country has reproduced those
indigenous varieties to the same degree
of complexity. These wines often have an
earthy character with savoury notes and an
‘Italianess’ about them.” According to Mr
Stockman, Italian wines have increased in
popularity in Asia in recent years, reflecting
the growing awareness elsewhere. He
reports that this is especially true of “the
light and fruity sparkling Prosecco. We are
seeing more Italian wines on shelves in Asia
(including supermarkets) and more people
talking about the wines.”
Sicily: Crystal clear waters
of the Mediterranean meet
the southern extremities of
the Apennine Mountains.
espresso along the edges of Piazza San
Marco (St Mark’s Square) as the skies turn a
brilliant Italian azure.
Island of Sicily
Sicily, the largest island in the
Mediterranean Sea, is an autonomous
region of Italy which also includes several
smaller isles. With a typical Mediterranean
climate, the beauty of the islands has
inspired art, music, cuisine and architecture.
Sicily is where the crystal clear waters
of the Mediterranean meet the southern
extremities of the Apennine Mountains,
contributing to a beautiful terrain that
will leave you spellbound. Mount Etna,
the tallest active volcano in Europe at
3,350 metres and one of the most active
volcanoes in the world, provides a dramatic
backdrop for the city of Catania, contrasting
with the sparkling sea on its shores.
The far west of Sicily is also a perfect
location for wine-tasting treks through the
islands. Its volcanic soil and 300 days of
fine Mediterranean weather has allowed
wineries and vineyards to flourish. In 2014,
Sicily was the fourth-largest wine producer
in Italy. Marsala, where Giuseppe Garibaldi
landed to begin the unification of Italy in
1860, produces one of the most pristine
Sicilian wines. Surely, sipping a glass of the
best Marsala wine in a villa on the hillside,
