A Taste of Sicily: An Afternoon at Sicilia Qui

A recent wine tasting at Sicilia Qui was a perfect summer afternoon’s wine tasting and food extravaganza to showcase the variety of wines Sicily has to offer.

Giovanna, owner of Sicilia Qui,  laid out a stunning spread of cured meats and artisan cheese the sort of spread that makes you realise a charcuterie board can be a work of art and we worked our way through five exceptional Sicilian wines with the in-depth knowledge from Victoria South.

The Wines

Armagia Etna Bianco 2021

We opened with this elegant white from the volcanic slopes of Mount Etna, and it set the tone beautifully. Aromas of concentrated citrus, subtle wild herbs, and delicate floral notes draw you in, while the palate delivers pear and peach with a gorgeous minerality that distinctive flinty freshness that Etna whites are celebrated for. Crisp, intense, and refined. It made a superb aperitif alongside Giovanna’s lighter cheeses and herb-flecked accompaniments.

This can be found at Laithwaites for £15 a bottle

Purato Rosé

If ever a wine captured the spirit of a sun-drenched Sicilian afternoon, it’s this one. Bursting with fresh red berry fruits and carrying that wonderful flavour concentration that only comes from fruit grown under a fierce Mediterranean sun, the Purato Rosé is lively, fruity, and endlessly approachable. A mineral finish keeps it from being too soft, giving it real character. It paired brilliantly with the table — bright enough to cut through the richness of the meats, refreshing enough to keep you reaching for another glass.

This can be found at Able and Cole for £9 a bottle (also occasionally available at Tesco)

Cantine Francesco Minimi Frappato

This was the wine that surprised everyone and won the most hearts. A beautiful light cherry-red in the glass, the Frappato from Cantine Francesco Minimi is pure joy. Wild strawberries leap from the nose with a gentle whisper of spice, and on the palate it’s silky smooth with a lingering, satisfying finish. Light-bodied but far from simple, this is a wine that rewards attention. We served it slightly chilled, as recommended, and it was an absolute revelation with the charcuterie — lifting the saltiness of the meats and playing beautifully with the softer cheeses.

Available at Sainsburys for £9 a bottle (£7.25 when part of the 6 for 20% discount)

Terre di Faiano Organic Nero d’Avola

Then came the shift — a step into deeper, more serious territory with this stunning organic Nero d’Avola. Deep ruby in the glass, it offers a richly enticing nose of blackberries, blueberries, and a dark hint of chocolate. The palate is full-bodied with silky tannins, ripe plum, dark wild berries, and a long finish with a signature kick of black pepper. This is Sicily’s flagship red grape at its most expressive, and the organic farming shows in the purity of the fruit. Paired with the bolder aged cheeses and richer meats on Giovanna’s board, it was an absolute triumph.

Available at Waitrose for £11.50 a bottle

Cantine De Vita Marsala Dolce Superiore

We ended as all great things should with something sweet. The Marsala Dolce Superiore from Cantine De Vita is the perfect finale to an indulgent afternoon. Honey and dried figs on the nose give way to black cherry, pomegranate, and plum on a lush, fresh palate. It’s sweet without being cloying, complex without being difficult.

Available from Waitrose or Tesco eat £13 a bottle

St. Wilfrid’s

With each event we try and raise a little bit of money for St Wilfrid’s Hospice and this time we raised £200, the cost of a nurse for the day! So thank you everyone.

Grazie, Giovanna

Events like this are only as good as the people behind them, and Giovanna’s warmth, knowledge, and extraordinary hospitality made the afternoon truly special. The care she puts into Sicilia Qui from the food to the atmosphere is evident in every detail.

If you haven’t visited Sicilia Qui, you’re missing out on a genuine slice of Sicily.

Salute! 🍷