In the Island Region we have Sardinia and Sicily, and although they are part of Italy, they operate as separate entities floating happily in the Mediterranean Sea. Their cultures and wines are truly distinct, reflecting the diversity of the people and like the rest of Italy they trace their wine beginnings back to the time of Caesar and Bacchus and the like ... Greeks, Romans, countrymen ...

Sardinia (Sardegna) ~ this is the second largest of the Mediterranean islands where they lay claim to their grapevine stocks travelling back to Roman times. After the Romans, the cultural climate changed as did the cultivation of grapes as well as the vinification process. Between the 1400s and the 1600s the wine climate changed as Spanish grape varieties and techniques crept onto the island bringing with them a thirst for dessert wines and liquours. Since then Sardinians have been enjoying the fruits of their labour with their main focus now on dessert and table wines not such enjoyed since the time of the Roman Empire.

Sicily (Sicilia) ~ across the Strait of Messina and not yet connected to the mainland lies this island known for its hills and mountains and bounded by three seas, the Mediterranean Sea, on the west and south, the Ionian Sea on the east, and the Tyrrhenian Sea on the north, known in ancient times as Trinacria (a Greek word meaning Triangle) because the island is triangular in shape. Historical documents clearly indictate that Sicily boasts one of the most ancient winemaking cultures in the entire world, with the island's wines being valued and appreciated even before the 7th Century, BC. In ancient works of art, Sicilian wines can be found being offered to the Gods of Olympus. How simply Divine! What a great honour in which to share. The great variety of reds and whites produced here include but are not limited to: Marsalas, Spumantes, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Chardonnay, Sangiovese, and Rosato.

To Sileno, who according to ancient mythology, introduced and taught "Bacchus" to drink wine, who then became the God of Wine. Salute!

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