Diego Planeta and Sicily’s winemaking Renaissance

Lago Arancio – Planeta

Sicily, the largest island of the Mediterranean is one of Italy’s most interesting winemaking regions. Sicilian winemaking dates back to the Phoenicians and the ancient Greeks. The island, with its variety of viticultural areas, climate and soil, can be compared to an entire continent.

Only a few decades ago, Sicilian wines were known as bulk wines and sold to enhance the gradation of French and Northern Italian wines. In the last thirty years Sicily has been shaking off its bulk wine reputation with an increasing number of winemakers producing and promoting higher quality wines.

Diego Planeta was one of the first winemakers that understood the necessity of improving Sicilian wines. His awareness of Sicily’s quality wine potential inspired him to become pioneer of Sicilian quality winemaking. In the seventies Diego Planeta became president of “Cantine Settesoli” today one of Europe’s largest and most successful cooperative wineries with 2,300 associates with an annual output of 22 milion bottles.

As President of the Regional Institute of Vine and Wine in Sicily from 1975 to 1982, Diego Planeta promoted public investments in experimental research to improve the Sicilian winemaking process from the vineyard to the bottle. He spent his life-time experience convincing other wine makers to focus their efforts on producing high quality wines.

In 2004 Diego Planeta was confered as “Cavaliere del Lavoro” by the President of the Italian Republic in recognition of his “immense contribution to promote the Sicilian wines around the world”.  In 2010 Italy issue of Decanter Magazine, Diego Planeta has been named among the Top 10 Most Influential Italians in the wine trade.

Decanter writes: “Diego Planeta has helped put Sicily on the world’s quality wine map. His family wine company led the Sicilian wine revolution, showing how a region whose annual production of grapes was the highest in Europe could improve its wines, market them with style and reach global markets…”

Today Planeta Winery is one of the premier wine estates of Sicily. The company has vineyards and estates in six different areas of Sicily. The Ulmo estate located on the Arancio Lake, near Sambuca, is their first winery and ancestral family home. Wine enthusiasts and not only can visit the estate and tour its vast vineyards, ancient olive groves and the ruins of an ancient Arab Castle.

By Maria Lina Bommarito

The Asmundo Palace in Palermo

The Asmundo Palace is one of the most beautiful and well-kept aristocratic homes of Palermo. The palace located on the ancient road of the Cassaro (today’s Corso Vittorio Emanuele), faces the Cathedral and is an extraordinary example of Palermo’s historical splendor. The construction of the palace dates back to the early 1600’s when Sicilian nobilty began its migration from the countryside to the city. The aristocratic families of those times showed off luxury and opulence to affirm their status and prestige.

It is in this context that in 1764 the President of Justice Giuseppe Asmundo Paternò – marquis of Sessa – enlarged the existing structure commissioning the renowned artist Gioacchino Martorana the beautiful frescos of the lounges of the noble floor. Exquisite stuccoes, Venetian blinds and Baroque doors embellish the chambers of the floor that opens with the Concert Chamber with its stunningly beautiful ceiling.

Today the palace preserves much of its original traits, an artistic exemplar of the Sicilian Baroque style. The present owners, the Martorana Family, have renovated and reopened the palace as a museum of itself.

The precious frescos of the 18th century alcove, the Sicilian ceramics, the Neapolitan and French porcelains so often mentioned by travelers and guests of the palace, are open to the public.

The collections include an interesting exposition of weapons from the 16th to the 19th century, a rarity for its extent. Another unique collection comprises a series of antique charts and maps of Sicily, object of study and research kept by Pierluigi Martorana, the current administrator of the Asmundo Palace.

Today the palace is site of cultural events, expositions and receptions. Upon reservation it is possible to have a guided tour of the palace and its collections, and enjoy a typical Sicilian buffet with esclusive view of the Cathedral.

By Maria Lina Bommarito

Website: www.palazzoasmundo.com
Email: palazzoasmundo@iol.it
Address: Via P. Novelli, 3   Palermo

Sicilian Easter Sweets

Photos by Maria Lina Bommarito

Sicilian Easter Parade

Photos by Maria Lina Bommarito

A Very Original Christmas Tree

The main square of Cinisi (prov. of Palermo) proudly displays its 2011 Christmas tree. A very special Christmas tree that shows great interest towards ecology.

This eco-friendly Christmas tree was set up by a team of enthusiastic youngsters led by Vincenzo Cusumano, the creator and art director.

6,000 plastic bottles were used to build this 7 meter (23 ft.) tree.

The effect is spectacular, indeed, especially in the evening when the lights create a special effect.

“This is” says Vincenzo, “a message to the citizens and to everyone. We must all be concerned about the future of our environment. Recycling costs us little efforts, but these efforts will be efficient and highly rewarding if we all co-operate.”

Happy New Year!

Maria Lina Bommarito

Isola delle Femmine, between Myth and Reality

The stretch of road between Cinisi and Palermo astonishes travelers with beautiful sight of the azure Mediterranean sea. The coast is an alternation of sandy beaches and reefs that offer a spectacular view. Just off the coast you can admire the Isola delle Femmine (women’s island), a small beautiful island that gives its name to the town ashore.

Many legends have been inspired by the name of this small island Isola delle Femmine, inhabited solely by birds and rabbits. The ruins of an ancient tower recalls a fairy tale-scenery where imprisoned princesses await to be freed by brave knights.The first legend recalls that the island was a prison for just women in the past. However, no references have been found to prove this first supposition. Another ancient legend says that thirteen Turkish women accused of immoral behavior, were abandoned on the island by their husbands. After seven years, the husbands regretted having abandoned them and returned to save them.

Etymological studies explain that the word femmine – in dialect fimmini – has nothing to do with women. The word instead derives from the Arab word fim which means mouth or entrance and is referred to the canal between the island and the mainland. The island is uninhabited today. Because of its naturalistic importance, the Sicilian Region with the cooperation of LIPU (Italian Society for the Protection of Birds) institued The Oriented Nature Reserve Isola delle Femmine in 1997. In 2002 the coastline from Capo Gallo (near Mondello) to Isola delle Femmine was declared “Protected Marina Reserve”. The Nature Reserve has favored the preservation of a rich flora that includes 144 species of geo-botanic importance, several of which are in danger of extinction. The birdlife present on the island is particularly important: the Blue rock Thrush, the Mediterranean Herring Gull, the Crested Lark, the Stone-chat, the Buzzard and the Hoopoe all nest here, while migratory birds are regular visitors. The European Wild Rabbit, the field lizard, the Whip Snake and different species of butterflies also find their natural habitat on the small island. The marine flora and fauna are equally important. The variety of marine environments with meadows of Oceanic Posidonia indicate the sea waters are clean and unpolluted. Sandy and rocky seabeds are the ideal habitat for species as Octopi, Nudibranches, Snakelock Anemones, Groupers, Lobsters and Seafans.

The Nature Reserve is open all year round and guided nature walks are organized upon reservation.
For further information or reservations: riserva.isolafemmine@lipu.it

By Maria Lina Bommarito

Map

Sferracavallo, A Seaside Village near Palermo

Sferracavallo is a small seaside village in the suburbs of Palermo which lies between Mount Billiemi and Pizzo Santa Margherita. Its origins date back to the 15th century when a group of fishermen from Palermo and Isola delle Femmine settled in the area trying to make a better living.

In the early 20th century Palermo’s aristocracy began to build elegant “art nouveau” villas along the coastal strip of Sferracavallo reaching the nearby town of Isola delle Femmine. Since then the increasing urban development transformed this fishermen colony into one of Palermo’s best reputed seaside resorts. Today, Sferracavallo’s economy is based on fishing and tourism.

One of the particularities of Sferracavallo are the numerous restaurants located along the seaside promenade. These restaurants offer a rich menu of local fresh fish. The restaurants of the village are also well-known as among the first to offer “fixed price” menus.

The “Villaggio Gastronomico” in Plaza Beccadelli is famous for the numerous gazebos where it is possible to taste typical Palermo gastronomy based on pane con la milza  or pane ca meusa in dialect (a spleen sandwich, typical of Palermo’s “street food”), panelle (chickpea fritters), potato croquettes, broccoli fritters and caponata. It is also possible to taste seafood specialities as ricci di mare (sea urchins), cozze (mussels) octopus and snails.

Sferracavallo is easily accessible from Palermo through pubic transportation.

By Maria Lina Bommarito

Map

September in Sicily

September is a lovely month to visit Sicily. The weather is beautiful and the sea temperature is still wonderfully warm which makes it perfect for a late summer swim. There are less tourists compared to August which is Italy’s “holiday month” and beaches and other top attractions are not invaded by tourists.

Prices for accomodations and rentals drop from their high season levels by the middle of the month.
The first substancial rains arrive, usually after mid-month. For the temperature, the month of September can be considered an extension of the long Sicilian summer.

The weather is ideal for sightseeing, it’s an ideal time to visit Sicily’s beautiful towns, small medieval centers, archaeological ruins and natural reserves.

In September harvests begin throughout the island. Grapes are certainly the main fruit of the season but not only: almonds, pistachios, prickly pears and figs are at their best. This is the time of harvest celebrations and festivals organized to promote typical products of the different areas.

By Maria Lina Bommarito

September in Sicily… I Wish I Were There

 

 

Limoncello: A Taste of Sicily

Sipping Limoncello after dinner on hot summer evenings has become a very pleasant custom in Sicily as well as in the rest of Italy.

Limoncello is a Mediterranean liquor made with lemon peels marinated in alcohol. The description of Limoncello given by the Los Angeles Times journalist, Charles Perry, fits perfectly: “A taste of a thousand lemons, it’s colder than ice, and it explodes in your mouth with all the freshness and optimism of lemons”.

The origins  of this delicious lemon liquor date back to the early 19th century when it was first produced on the Amalfi coast in Southern Italy. Today it is made throughout the peninsula but the Southern regions with their warm climate are the most renowned in producing it.

Sicilian Limoncello is more intense than that made anywhere else. Its color is more vibrant, it’s sweeter on the palate and has a more pronounced lemon flavor. Making homemade Limoncello is very common among Sicilian families. It can be kept for months in the freezer and because of the high alcohol content it will not freeze.

There are many different recipes for homemade Limoncello, the quantity of alcohol and sugar may vary according to personal taste. It takes about a week for the alcohol to draw the flavor from the lemon zests. But the result is worth the wait!

Here is a recipe my mother handed to me, which is quite easy and irresistibly good. Differently than other recipes, we use small green lemons (instead of yellow ones) that give nice flavor, aroma and a beautiful green color. It is very important that the lemons are organic and freshly picked.

Ingredients

• 1000 ml pure alcohol (Everclear in th U.S.),
• 800 gr. (4 cups) sugar
• 1000 ml. (4 cups) water
• 10 lemons

Method

Rinse and dry the lemons, then peel the zest off. You must avoid peeling the pith which is the white part of the lemon because it would give a bitter flavor to our Limoncello. It takes a little patience to peel the lemons, it’s easier if you use a sharp knife or a vegetable peeler. Put the peel in the alcohol in a hermetic glass container and let it macerate for a week.

After a week, strain the alcohol and discard the peels. Set the alcohol aside while you prepare a syrup heating the water and the sugar, letting it simmer for 5 minutes. Let the syrup cool off and then add the alcohol which has become a nice green color. Pour into bottles and freeze.

By Maria Lina Bommarito

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