30 by the glassPiazza Castelnuovo, Palermo
Founded in 1946 on Via Marconi, Enoteca Picone is Palermo's most historically significant wine shop and tasting bar. Over 2,000 labels, strong focus on Sicilian DOC wines and aged vintages.
The list: Over 2,000 labels from Sicily and Italy's finest producers; over 30 by-the-glass selections daily. Strong on Etna, Cerasuolo di Vittoria and aged Marsala.
Tip: Enoteca Picone is Palermo's institution for serious wine retail and tasting. The standing bar at the back is where you'll find Sicilian sommeliers on their days off.
20 by the glassPiazza San Placido, Catania
Catania natural-wine bar in Piazza San Placido, with a rotating list of Etna DOC small-producers and broader Sicilian and Italian natural wines. Late closing attracts the post-dinner wine crowd.
The list: Around 200 labels focused on Etna DOC and natural Sicilian producers; 20-plus by the glass, rotating weekly
Tip: Bocum's late closing makes it Catania's go-to after-dinner Etna wine destination. The by-the-glass list changes weekly and tends toward small-producer natural Etna DOC.
25 by the glassOrtigia, Syracuse
Ortigia wine bar with a natural and artisanal focus. Strong Sicilian selection by the glass in the baroque setting of historic Syracuse.
The list: Curated selection of Sicilian and Italian natural wines, 25 by-the-glass; Etna, Cerasuolo di Vittoria and Sicilia DOC whites feature prominently
Tip: Ortigia's most serious wine bar, set in the baroque island centro storico. Late evening crowds spill onto the street in summer; arrive early for a table.
20 by the glassNoto centro storico, Syracuse province
Noto wine bar in the UNESCO-listed baroque city, with an all-Sicilian list anchored in Val di Noto Nero d'Avola and Cerasuolo di Vittoria.
The list: All-Sicilian list of 150-plus bottles with a focus on Val di Noto Nero d'Avola and Cerasuolo di Vittoria; 20 by the glass
Tip: The best place in Noto to taste Nero d'Avola from Avola and Vittoria producers side-by-side in a single evening.
30 by the glassKalsa, Palermo
Palermo's most refined restaurant-wine-bar in a 19th-century palazzo in the Kalsa neighbourhood. Serious cellar of aged Sicilian and Italian wines; by-the-glass selection changes weekly.
The list: 250-plus label Italian list with the strongest Sicily section outside Enoteca Picone; 30 by-the-glass
Tip: The bar at the back serves the same list as the restaurant but without the full-menu commitment. Best late-evening stop for a glass of aged Marsala or Etna Rosso Riserva.
20 by the glassVia Atenea, Agrigento
Agrigento wine bar on Via Atenea with an all-Sicilian list focused on the Agrigento province's Grillo and Nero d'Avola producers. Late evenings and weekend wine events.
The list: All-Sicilian wine list of 200-plus labels; 20 by the glass; strong on Nero d'Avola, Grillo and Agrigento-province producers
Tip: Located on Agrigento's main historic street, the best stopping point for a glass of Valle dei Templi-area Grillo or Nero d'Avola before or after visiting the temples.
18 by the glassPiazza Marina, Palermo
Palermo wine bar on Piazza Marina in the historic Piazza Marina neighbourhood, with late outdoor seating and an all-Sicilian wine list by the glass.
The list: Palermo Piazza Marina wine bar with 180 Sicilian labels; 18 by the glass; outdoor seating on the archway piazza late into the night
Tip: Piazza Marina is one of Palermo's most atmospheric evening squares. The all-Sicilian by-the-glass list is a useful shortcut to the island's DOC geography in one sitting.