Assovini Sicilia, the Consortium for the Protection of DOC Sicilia wines, the SOStain Sicilia Foundation, during the Expo Divinazione of the G7 in Syracuse, testify to the commitment of Sicilian winemaking in addressing the challenges of climate change and launch an appeal to the institutions to find a solution to the problem of water shortage.

Consorzio di Tutela Vini Doc Sicilia, Assovini and Fondazione SOStain that during the Expo Divinazione of the G7 in Syracuse, have testified the commitment of the Sicilian winemaking industry in facing the challenges of climate change.

« Sicily’s wine industry has taken up the challenge posed by climate change and through research, experimentation, sustainability and the valorization of biodiversity is trying to govern one of the most difficult moments for Sicilian viticulture ».
With these words Antonio Rallo, president of the Consortium for the Protection of Sicilian DOC Wines , opened the conference “ Resilience, research, strategy: Sicily governs climate change ” held in the Borsellino Hall of the Municipality of Syracuse on 22 September during the Expo Divinazione, on the occasion of the G7 Agriculture .
” Wineries and agriculture in general have implemented various actions in recent years to limit the damage caused by climate change, which is increasingly affecting people. We believe it is right to give voice to this work and ask for decisive intervention by the institutions to implement a plan for large-scale infrastructure works that are now urgent ,” added Antonio Rallo.
Assovini Sicilia, the Consortium for the Protection of DOC Sicilia wines, and the SOStain Sicilia Foundation have come together to shine a spotlight on the actions and strategies implemented by the winemaking world.
« The context in which Sicily’s wine industry is moving is increasingly evolving », explained Dr. Luigi Pasotti, Director of the Catania Unit of the Sicilian Agrometeorological Information Service (SIAS), illustrating in detail the island’s water situation linked not only to the reduction in rainfall but above all to the increase in temperatures.
” The climate situation in Sicily is quite complex and climate change has clearly manifested itself in recent years through various phenomena. – continues Pasotti – In 2023, there was an increase in rainfall during the spring period, which favored the spread of fungal diseases, such as downy mildew. In 2024, an opposite condition occurred: a lack of rain starting from January, together with the increase in temperatures led to an early harvest. The high temperatures have determined a change in the levels of evapotranspiration of the soil which have increased drastically in the last 10 years, which can create future problems because the soil is unable to retain water and, consequently, the plants suffer more. In the future, we will have to think not only about covering and protecting the grapes but also about finding systems that safeguard and protect the soil while also increasing water reserves to cope with an increase in temperatures “, concluded Luigi Pasotti.
” In this scenario, the active intervention of the wineries becomes fundamental, the first sentinels of a territory that increasingly needs attention and rapid interventions that are often delegated to private individuals “, added Mariangela Cambria, president of Assovini Sicilia , who emphasizes the good practices of Assovini Sicilia companies to manage climate change. According to a survey conducted by the University of Messina for Assovini Sicilia, 80.5% of members have introduced new technologies and methodologies in winemaking and vineyard management, 22% participate in experimental projects in the vineyards; 20.3% have activated projects with research institutions to access cutting-edge technologies applicable in the field that can affect the quality of the product.
” Sicily winemaking – continues Mariangela Cambria – demonstrates innovation and competence in knowing how to face and manage future challenges that have an impact on the world of wine such as climate change. The work of Sicilian producers demonstrates that Sicilian winemaking looks to the future and continues to guarantee quality in production “.
And Giuseppe Bursi, vice president of the SOStain Sicilia Foundation , founded in 2020, at the instigation of Assovini Sicilia and the Consortium for the protection of DOC Sicilia wines, spoke about a sustainable future.
” As the SOStain Foundation, we were born with the clear objective of promoting the sustainability of the Sicilian wine sector; this concept does not only concern agricultural activity in itself but goes beyond the boundaries of the fields that are cultivated, as it also concerns the well-being of workers and the health of consumers, the involvement of local communities, the enhancement of the surrounding area, the conservation of natural resources – comments Bursi -. Closely linked to the theme of climate change, among the 10 minimum points required in our specifications, we ask for the application of the VIVA program. Companies are required to calculate, at an organizational level, the impact of their activities on environmental factors such as water, air and vineyards and adopt water and energy saving techniques. Companies are increasingly learning to be virtuous in the management of resources and to look to the future with a commitment that is not only business but also social “, concluded Giuseppe Bursi.
« The Consortium is also working more and more actively, promoting research projects that address climate change through innovation – continued Antonio Rallo, president of the Consortium for the Protection of Sicilian Doc Wines – alongside the actions undertaken by the wineries, the Consortium promotes the research projects Bi.Vi.Si, VISTA Lucido and Germoplasma viticolo, carried out in collaboration with IRVO, the University of Palermo and Milan, the Department of Agriculture of Sicily, Assoenologi ».
” We are proud of the three research projects carried out in recent years – adds Giuseppe Figlioli, oenologist and advisor to the Consortium -. The grapes of the VISTA Lucido project, coming from different terroirs of Sicily where the Lucido variety is grown, have been used for the future production of fine wines and sparkling wines with the Charmat Method. Regarding the Bi.Vi.Si project, instead, we are proceeding with the vinification, at the research center of the University of Oenology of Marsala, using the Grillo, Nero D’Avola, Lucido, Vitrarolo and Lucignola vines, all native Sicilian varieties. Finally, for the Germoplasma project, we have selected, collected and conserved the propagation material in special maintenance cells, or screen houses, in such a way as to have a fundamental database for the varietal and clonal choice of the Sicilian wine-growing of the future “.
“All this dynamism on the part of the wine sector, however, cannot fail to see the institutions at the forefront “, adds in closing Antonio Rallo, president of the Consortium for the Protection of Sicilian DOC Wines. ” The water shortage and the increase in temperatures, which in recent years have had a direct impact on all agricultural production, require urgent solutions and interventions. We are facing a water crisis situation that requires water restrictions in the city of Palermo, yesterday’s news, even if we are recording a return of rain in August and September. Unfortunately, even today, most of the water that rains on the island ends up in the sea. We therefore require a significant increase in public investments aimed at the creation of hillside lakes, the restructuring of existing dams to increase their storage capacity, the construction of large basins and the improvement of the water distribution network. These measures can and must be promoted by regional and national institutions to guarantee a sustainable future for Sicilian wine companies and all farmers “, concludes Antonio Rallo.

Sunday 22nd and Sunday 29th: the dates of the 26th edition of the Go Wine Wine Festival , which brings to the stage, in the historic center of the city , the most representative wine expressions of the Langhe and Roero area. The initiative, promoted by Go Wine, has become over time a much-loved event for the public of wine enthusiasts, both Italian and foreign; a format that, this year too, will allow you to travel the itinerary of Piazza Risorgimento (Piazza Duomo), Via Vittorio Emanuele and Via Cavour, transforming the historic center into an ideal ‘wine route’ for a day.

The event involves the winemaking realities of the municipalities of Langhe and Roero , maintaining its connotation of a festive event, which recalls the time and the joyful character of the grape harvest, with the presence of local promotional entities, cellars, wine shops and producer associations.

New: Tastings open from late morning!

Special events on Sunday 22nd September The municipalities protagonists, through their wines, of the tasting.

On both days, from 11:00 to 19:00, the producers, organized through the participating Municipalities, will present their products for tasting and will promote their local reality and their events. For the first time, the event hours are extended, starting from 11:00!

It promises to be an extraordinary tasting table with many labels and denominations represented: from Barolo and Barbaresco, to the other noble wines of the Langhe and Roero: Nebbiolo d’Alba, Roero, Roero Arneis, Barbera d’Alba, Dolcetto d’Alba, Diano and Dogliani, and many other wines.

In this edition a special section will be dedicated to Monferrato , with a selection of wineries located in the historic centre of Alba.

Each visitor will be able to taste the wines by purchasing the glass and the pouch, with the possibility of then choosing and comparing the wines offered for tasting.

Special events in the program for Sunday 22nd September

Sunday 22nd September will be enriched by some special tasting events.

Langhe vs. Burgundy: the guided tasting

On both Sundays, at 4:00 p.m., at the Sensory Room of MUDET, the Alba Truffle Museum, there will be a guided tasting “Langhe vs Burgundy: Nebbiolo – Pinot Noir ” that will promote a comparison between two great vines. The tasting will include Barolo, Barbaresco and selections of Pinot Noir from the Cote d’Or and Cotes des Nuits of Burgundy.

Wines from the New World – 2.30pm-6pm

An interesting Enoteca animates the program of collateral events of the event. It is dedicated to the wines of the New World: a selection of labels from California, South America, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand.

The Enoteca will be set up in the Cortile della Maddalena, near the Via del Vino route and will be open from 14:30 to 18:00. All participants will have a good tasting for this particular selection.

All those who attend the event will have an additional tasting voucher for this special wine shop.

From 5 to 7 October 2024, at Palazzo Crova in Nizza Monferrato, the fifth edition of the event will kick off, celebrating the excellence of Nizza DOCG in a unique encounter between terroir, culture and authentic flavours.

Also this year, the beating heart of Nizza Monferrato is preparing to host the fifth edition of ” Il Nizza È “, an unmissable event that celebrates the art of wine and the gastronomic excellence of the area. From 5 to 7 October 2024, Palazzo Crova, with its timeless elegance, will be the stage for a unique sensory experience, capable of transporting visitors on a journey through the nuances of Nizza DOCG and the food and wine treasures that Piedmont and beyond have to offer. The event will open on Saturday 5 October at 10:00 , in the suggestive Gardens of Palazzo Crova, with the awarding of the “Tullio Mussa 2024” Prize, to a Healthy Carrier of the Tullio Pensiero . The most deserving candidate will be selected for the protection of the territory, biodiversity and the promotion and valorization of local products. The winner, who will be able to best interpret these values, will receive a prize, symbol of a commitment to sustainability and excellence. The new look of the 2025 award will then be presented, which will be awarded through a scholarship, financed by the Association of Producers of Nizza, the Regional Wine Shop of Nizza and Slow Food Alessandria and Colline Nicensi. The scholarship, starting next year, will concern, in alternate years, the Istituto Tecnico statale Pellati of Nizza Monferrato and the University of Gastronomic Sciences of Pollenzo. For three days, from 10:00 to 13:00 and from 14:00 to 20:00, the tasting tables will become the meeting point for the public with 115 labels of Nizza DOCG, coming from more than 70 wineries. Accompanied by the sommeliers of the AIS, visitors will be able to explore the diversity of a territory that tells its story through six tasting stations, each with its own peculiarities, offering a mosaic of aromas and flavors that will fascinate even the most demanding palates. New to this edition will be the meeting between the souls of the terroirs: the Nizza DOCG will embrace the wines of Etna DOC, thanks to the precious collaboration with the Consorzio Tutela Vini Etna DOC , offering visitors a dedicated tasting counter that will compare the volcanic strength of Sicily with the refined elegance of Piedmont. No less important will be the homage to the Roccaverano DOP, proposed in collaboration with the Consorzio dei Produttori del Roccaverano DOP , for a perfect combination of wine and cheese that will tell stories of tradition and artisan mastery. The experience will be completed with the initiative “Nizza È Ristorazione”, where fourteen restaurateurs of the area, in synergy with the Association of Merchants “Nizza col Cuore”, will offer special menus, designed to enhance the pairings with Nizza DOCG wines, thus offering an original gastronomic journey. “Il Nizza È” is the result of the passion and commitment of the Enoteca Regionale di Nizza, the City of Nizza Monferrato and the Association of Nizza Producers, made possible thanks to the contribution of the Piedmont Region and the technical support of the Asti delegation of AIS Piemonte. Numerous prestigious partners, including the Consorzio Tutela Vini Etna DOC, the Consorzio dei Produttori del Roccaverano DOP, Valverde, Mario Fongo and the Associazione Commercianti Nicese, have contributed to the realization of this event, which also enjoys the patronage of important local authorities.

The harvest in Sicily ends with a significant reduction: the island’s production records a 20% drop, which added to last year’s reduction leads to an overall decline of 55%.

An early start due to the high temperatures that accelerated the ripening of the grapes and the usual longevity that distinguishes the longest harvest in Italy.

Despite the quantity of grapes being lower than last year, this harvest promises to be historic in terms of quality, with peaks of excellence for Nero D’Avola: the 2024 Sicilian harvest is affected by the effects of climate change, first and foremost the scarce rainfall in recent months with a significant impact on the vineyards, which nevertheless confirm excellent quality also thanks to the absence of plant diseases – precisely in relation to the dry climate – after last year’s problems related to downy mildew.

In many areas, moreover, the use of water from company lakes and wells as well as agronomic techniques to limit the effects of the climate has proven to be fundamental. “ We have certainly experienced an anomalous year : – comments Filippo Buttafuoco, Doctor Agronomist – in Sicily it usually rains on average 500-600 mm in a year, while from last autumn until today 250 mm of rain has fallen. In 2023 the vineyards were already coming from a period of stress and great heat, unfortunately they have not had the chance to recover even during this year. Therefore, the entire development process of the new fruits has occurred early, starting with budding and flowering which were brought forward by two weeks. The yields since the beginning of the harvest have been very low, with notable losses. On the quality front, however, we have a very high quality, the grapes are healthy, ripe and the wines are expected to be spectacular ”. “This year it was expected that there would not be much grapes – adds Filippo Paladino , vice president of the Consortium for the protection of DOC Sicilia wines – Grillo had a 40% drop compared to the average, the reds were a little better, starting with Nero D’Avola. Good yields for Zibibbo and international vines instead. It will be difficult to sustain the costs”. “Even if it is still early to draw up a definitive balance – concludes Alessio Planeta , member of the Board of Directors of DOC Sicilia – we can already observe some significant trends. In much of Sicily, the conditions of the vineyards before the harvest had already led to the prediction of a drop in grape production: this was due to the little rain and relatively warm winter and a cold and windy spring. The expected rains never arrived: this factor and a long summer made us anticipate the harvest by about 10 days. The harvest results vary greatly from East to West: while in the western part the decline is more marked, in the eastern area and, above all, in the North, the harvest levels are close to those of last year. The reduction in quantity, however, has brought with it a notable increase in quality. This year, we are seeing surprising results, with peaks of excellence, especially for varieties such as Nero d’Avola, Grillo and Frappato. Profoundly Sicilian varieties that have interpreted a southern harvest at their best”.