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.
Address: Via dell'Archivio 18, 90133 Palermo, Italy, Sicily
Small vinyl-and-wine bar on Modica's main corso, combining natural Sicilian wines with vinyl music. The Cerasuolo di Vittoria pours are a highlight.
The list: Small vinyl-and-wine bar with a rotating natural Sicilian selection; 15 by the glass
Tip: Modica's bohemian wine bar with vinyl jazz and natural Sicilian wines. A night-owl favourite on Corso Umberto with late closing and a compact but personal selection.
Casual Ortigia listening bar on Via dei Mille, combining vinyl music with Sicilian natural wines and small-producer pours.
The list: Laid-back Ortigia bar with vinyl soundtrack and Sicilian natural wine; 12 by the glass from small producers
Tip: The most relaxed late-night wine venue on Ortigia island with a curated vinyl collection and rotating producer-by-producer Sicilian pours.
Historic Trapani wine bar and restaurant in the Jewish quarter, with Sicilian music evenings and a strong focus on Marsala and Trapani-province wines.
The list: Trapani wine bar with a laid-back atmosphere, local musicians performing Thursday to Saturday and a 180-label Sicilian list
Tip: Thursday-Saturday live music with Sicilian folk and jazz; arrive before 22:00 for a table. The Marsala and Grillo pours are the best in central Trapani.
Intimate candlelit Catania wine bar focused on Etna DOC and Sicilian artisan producers. Strong by-the-glass selection from small estates.
The list: Intimate low-lit Catania wine bar with 200-plus bottles focused on Etna DOC and Sicilian producers; 20 by the glass in a candlelit back room
Tip: The most atmospheric wine bar in central Catania for an Etna-focused evening. The cellar room has bare stone and candlelight; book ahead in summer.
Intimate Palermo enoteca with candlelit setting, a deep Sicilian cellar and personal service. Hosts occasional producer evenings and vintage vertical tastings.
The list: Candlelit Palermo enoteca with 300-plus labels and intimate seating; specialises in Sicilian artisan producers and aged vintages
Tip: One of Palermo's most atmospheric wine spaces. The owner knows every producer personally; ask for a vertical of an aged Nero d'Avola from Gulfi to experience the grape's development arc.
Taormina wine bar on the famous Piazza del Duomo, with a terrace view of the Baroque cathedral and Mount Etna. Focused Etna DOC selection by the glass.
The list: Taormina's most refined wine bar, with Etna DOC and Sicilian premium selection; 25 by the glass; terrace with Etna view
Tip: The outdoor terrace at the Piazza del Duomo is Taormina's most atmospheric wine-tasting spot; the view of the illuminated Baroque cathedral with Etna behind it is unmatched on the island.