Sicily aims to market its sparkling wines more collectively in the future. The regional Institute for Wine and Olive Oil IRVO has established the "Network of Sicilian Bubbles" together with the Sommelier Association AIS. A manifesto is intended to bring producers, protection consortia, and institutions together under a common identity.

On the island, 140 wineries now produce around 330 sparkling wines for the Italian and international markets. 54 percent are produced using the Charmat method, and 46 percent through traditional bottle fermentation. White sparkling wines account for 86 percent of the offerings, while rosé makes up 14 percent. About half of the production is attributed to the IGT Terre Siciliane, with nearly 30 percent to the DOC Sicilia. The DOC Etna is developing particularly dynamically: its share of Sicilian sparkling wine production rose from just under ten percent in 2018 to around 20 percent in 2025. Especially white Etna sparkling wine is gaining importance.

Overall, however, the segment remains small. Sparkling wine currently accounts for only about one percent of the wines bottled in Sicily. Therefore, the new network is intended not only to promote sales but also to position the wines as a starting point for wine tourism routes. It is planned to connect producers and tourist destinations from Etna and Val di Noto to the archaeological sites in the west of the island.

(ru – Image: 123rf)

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