12 by the glassPalermo
Palermo natural wine bar and shop with an emphasis on Sicilian small producers and seasonal local food; community-oriented and low-key atmosphere.
The list: Natural wine shop and bar in Palermo with local, seasonal organic food; Raisin-verified venue with small-producer Sicilian focus.
Pours: Natural Grillo, Natural Nero d'Avola, Natural Inzolia
Tip: One of Palermo's most reliable stops for new Sicilian natural-wine discoveries.
40 by the glassPoliteama, Palermo
Palermo's most storied enoteca since 1946; floor-to-ceiling bottles, an encyclopedic Sicilian list and an expert team that stocks wines rarely found elsewhere on the island.
The list: Historic enoteca since 1946 with 7,000-plus labels spanning Sicilian artisan producers alongside global grands crus; retail shop by day, wine bar from 5pm.
Pours: Etna Rosso DOC selections, Nerello Mascalese, Cerasuolo di Vittoria DOCG
Tip: Arrive at 5pm for aperitivo with a charcuterie board before the evening rush.
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.
