35 by the glassPoliteama, Palermo
Beloved Palermo wine bar where sommelier Salvatore Fanale fields a vast list of Sicilian gems and global stalwarts; outdoor terrace on the piazza is the place to be at sundown.
The list: 700-plus labels led by Sicilian selections curated by sommelier Salvatore Fanale; aperitivo platters and outdoor terrace.
Pours: Tasca d'Almerita Regaleali Rosso, Etna Bianco DOC, Passito di Pantelleria DOC
Tip: Ask Salvatore for his current Etna picks; the underground gems change seasonally.
30 by the glassCastellammare, Palermo
Long-running bar near Teatro Massimo, open from 9:30am to 1am, with outdoor terrace; champagne and sparkling focus alongside well-priced Sicilian wines.
The list: Family-run champagne specialist since 1968; also carries Sicilian still wines, French sparkling and an extensive spirits collection.
Pours: Champagne house selections, Sicilian Brut Metodo Classico, Passito di Pantelleria DOC
Tip: Great aperitivo stop before an opera at Teatro Massimo; try a glass of Sicilian bubbles with the house tramezzini.
25 by the glassLungomare, Catania
Sleek Lungomare wine bar opened by sommelier Andrea Allegra after experience abroad; 320 Italian labels with 70 off-list rarities, priced from EUR 25 a bottle, in a refined seaside setting.
The list: 320-plus labels covering all Italian regions; sommelier Andrea Allegra curates a cellar focused on Italian elegance with 70 off-list rarities; modern wine dispensers for by-the-glass service.
Pours: Etna Rosso DOC contrade selections, Cerasuolo di Vittoria DOCG, Etna Bianco DOC
Sommelier: Andrea Allegra
Tip: The off-list section includes micro-producer Etna wines not found in retail; ask Andrea to unlock it.
20 by the glassCentro Storico, Catania
Started as an online enoteca in 2013; now two storefronts on the same Baroque street with a wine-bar format and one of Catania's fullest Sicilian selections by the glass.
The list: Specialist Sicilian shop and wine bar with nearly all major island producers represented by the glass and bottle; second location in the San Benedetto monastery at Via Crociferi 14.
Pours: Etna DOC range, Frappato di Vittoria, Nerello Mascalese
Tip: The monastic setting at Via Crociferi 14 is the more atmospheric option for a glass.
30 by the glassOrtigia, Siracusa
Ortigia institution since 1987, transformed into a leading natural-wine bar by AIS-certified owners Elisa Merlo and Gianfilippo Russo; triple Slow Wine award winner for best Cerasuolo di Vittoria selection.
The list: 2,000-plus labels dominated by small-production natural and artisan wines from Italy and worldwide; dual-purpose retail and wine bar with food pairings.
Pours: Cerasuolo di Vittoria DOCG, Etna DOC, natural Sicilian bianco
Sommelier: Elisa Merlo and Gianfilippo Russo
Tip: Slow Wine has cited Solaria for three consecutive years for Sicily's best territorial selection.
20 by the glassCentro, Taormina
Casual wine bar with typical Sicilian food at the top of Corso Umberto; convenient starting point for Etna wine exploration with a well-curated island selection.
The list: Sicilian cellar-focused wine bar on Taormina's main pedestrian corso; local food pairings with Etna and regional selections.
Pours: Etna Rosso DOC, Nerello Mascalese, Malvasia delle Lipari DOC
Tip: Pair a glass of Etna Rosso with arancino before heading to the Greek theatre.
