CONSORTIUM FOR THE PROTECTION OF SICILY DOC WINES AT VINITALY 2026

The Consortium for the Protection of DOC Sicilia Wines returns to Vinitaly with a comprehensive program of events combining tastings, in-depth discussions, and opportunities for discussion, confirming its leading role in the national and international winemaking landscape. Masterclasses, meetings with buyers, and institutional events will enliven the DOC Sicilia agenda at the fair, offering industry professionals and the press a comprehensive overview of the appellation's evolution.

From 12 to 15 April , the Consortium will welcome visitors, journalists and professionals to Pavilion 2 , stand G76 with a programme designed to enhance the richness and contemporaneity of Sicilian wine, between territorial identity and global markets.

The calendar opens on Sunday 12 April at 10:00 am with a masterclass led by Chiara Giovoni entitled “Grillo, a contemporary icon of DOC Sicily”, held in collaboration with the Consortium of Bronte DOP Green Pistachios, featuring a tasting of the protected product paired with wine.

Monday, April 13th will be dedicated to masterclasses and moments of tasting and discussion. From the meeting of these excellences comes the masterclass " Sicilia DOC & Asiago DOP: Dialogue between Territories and Cultures of Taste" , scheduled for 11:45 a.m. and hosted by Andrea Amadei, face of the program "It's always midday!" and host of Decanter. The distinctive sweetness of Asiago DOP Fresco 20 days and Riserva 40 days , with unmistakable hints of fresh milk, yogurt and butter, meets the sunny Grillo and Lucido , arriving at a crescendo of aromas with Asiago DOP Mezzano 6 months paired with Nerello Mascalese , up to the intensity of Asiago DOP Vecchio 12 months , perfect in marriage with Nero d'Avola . Following this, at 3:00 PM, there will be a training session reserved for students of the Degree Course in Viticulture and Oenology at the University of Palermo entitled "Nero d'Avola Sicilia DOC: Origin, Evolution, and Expression of the Terroir."

Tuesday, April 14th will be one of the key moments of the fair. At 10:30 a.m., the conference "New Maps of Sicilian Wine: Transforming International Markets and New Global Balances" will take place in the Regional Meeting Hall. It will offer a reflection on the international dynamics and growth prospects of the denomination. The event, organized by the Regional Department of Agriculture in collaboration with the Consortium for the Protection of Sicilian DOC Wines and the SOStain Foundation, will feature prominent national and international speakers who will offer a detailed analysis of the positioning of Sicilian wines in international markets. They will provide an overview of the main challenges and opportunities facing the wine sector and how a positioning strategy is being implemented to make Sicilian wines a benchmark in the international wine scene. Following, at 12:30 pm, the masterclass “The storytelling of wine and territories and its effect on the brain: a comparison between Silver and GenZ” , led by winemaker Maurizio Maurizi and Prof. Vincenzo Russo of the Neuromarketing Behavior and Brain Lab Research Centre at IULM University.

On Wednesday, April 15th at 1:00 PM, Giuseppe Figlioli, oenologist and member of the Consortium's Board of Directors , will deliver a high-profile technical presentation aimed at qualified professionals and operators at the masterclass "Wines of Sicilia DOC: From indigenous grapes to international recognition," part of the VIA – Vinitaly International Academy project.

Throughout Vinitaly, the Consorzio di Tutela Vini DOC Sicilia stand will be a meeting place for journalists, buyers, and stakeholders, welcoming them to a space designed to showcase a constantly evolving appellation, always focused on international markets.