Assovini Sicilia presents “Sicilia en Primeur 2014”

by Marialina Bommarito      
Today at the prestigious site of Banca Nuova in Palermo,  Assovini Sicilia presented “Sicilia en Primeur 2014”.  The location, a building of great historic value was once the city’s main powerhouse and called “The Light Factory” by the people of Palermo. Built in 1912 and kept in use until the end of  World War II, the building was then abandoned and rundown. Completely restored by Banca Nuova in 2011, the site has regained its notorious importance.

“Sicilia en Primeur” important wine event organised by Assovini Sicilia, sponsored and promoted by Banca Nuova, reaches its 11^th edition.  This itinerant event hosting  journalists and wine experts from worldwide presents the 2013 wine preview and the wines set on the market this year. The event will take place at the beautiful island of Vulcano in the Eolian Archipelago.

“The choice of this exceptional location” says Antonio Rallo president of Assovini and owner of Donnafugata Winery, “comes from the aknowledgement of the importance of promoting and evaluating not only the wine but the territory it comes from. Vulcano with its heroic wine cultivation will be the spectacular scenario of the event”.

Marino Breganze, president of Banca Nuova, is very optimistic about the increase of Sicilian wine especially in the foreign market. “Wine” he says “is the flagship of Italy’s agricultural produce. Besides supporting Sicilia en Primeur we have and continue  assisting companies during the internationalization processes which we retain essential”.

Professor Attilio Scienza of the University of Milan, is giving his scientific support as in the preceding years. The theme of his participation is: “New messages and incitement for Sicilian viticulture from the small islands”. “For what concerns sustainability, Sicily is an example for all”, he says, “but tomorrow’s challenge is a precision viticulture and the Aeolian Islands have much to say of their oenological and cultural history”.

Assovini established in 1998 today comprises 70 Sicilian wineries that represent 80% of  bottled wine of the island.

The enotour beginning the 25^th of May will take 80 journalists and wine experts in various wineries of the different territories of Sicily. The 28^th and 29^th the group will reach the island of Vulcano where 35 well-known as well as emerging wineries, will present more than 350 different wines.

Participating wineries: