Ep 416: The History of Sicily... From the Wine Perspective

<p>Sicily has a long history, and all of it is tied up with the evolution of wine and food in the Sicilian culture. In this show, we look at how this huge Mediterranean island played a major role in every major civilization from indigenous tribes to the current generation of young winemakers who seek to carve out a niche for <a href="http://www.winesofsicily.com" target="_blank" rel= "noopener">Sicily</a> and its unique wine culture.</p> <p><img style= "display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" src= "https://assets.libsyn.com/secure/show/45638/Trinacria-flag-1-1.gif" alt="" width="290" height="193" /></p> <p>Here’s a brief timeline of what we talk about:<strong> </strong></p> <p><strong>Sicilian Wine Timeline...</strong></p> <ul> <li>10,000 years ago: Natural grapevines on Etna<br /> <br /></li> <li>Indigenous groups – Siculi, Socani, Elymi (Greeks who brought wine to Sicily)</li> </ul> <p><img style= "display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" src= "https://assets.libsyn.com/secure/show/45638/DP114840.jpg" alt="" width="326" height="326" /></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 8pt;">Photo: Metropolitan Museum of Art<br /></span></p> <ul> <li>8th – 3rd century BCE: Greeks arrived, introduced grapes and planted a lot of vineyards. They introduced pruning, varietal selection, bush training, and techniques to make great wine. Wine became an economic essential, as Sicily’s strategic position allows Greeks to export wine all over the Mediterranean. Inzolia, Zibibbo, Lucido/Catarratto were brought from Greece.<br /> <br /> <br /></li> <li>3rd century BCE: Roman Republic wins control of Sicily over the Greeks. The Roman Empire reigns afterwards. During both eras, the Romans planted more grapes, refined viticulture and winemaking techniques and traded Sicilian wine throughout the Roman empire, enriching wine merchants on Sicily. Mamertino, Julius Caesar’s favorite wine was made in Sicily. Wine vessels from Sicily have been found in France and other parts of Europe.</li> </