Wine in Centro Storico, Catania, Sicily

Nelson Sicily ★ 4.4

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.

Inside Wine - Art Wine Bar ★ 4.4

Created by lawyer-turned-sommelier-turned-artist Gabriella Maugeri; wine service is paired with live art exhibitions and performances in a refined Catania setting.

The list: Sommelier-led wine bar doubling as an art exhibition space; Sicilian and Italian selections with rotating artistic programme.

Pours: Etna Rosso DOC, Etna Bianco DOC, Cerasuolo di Vittoria DOCG

Sommelier: Gabriella Maugeri

Tip: Check Instagram for current exhibition openings; wine and art events are the highlight.

Enoteca Civita ★ 4.2

Catania natural wine bar within Raisin's verified network; seasonal Sicilian dishes and a 30%-plus natural wine selection create a relaxed, unpretentious atmosphere.

The list: Natural wine bar and restaurant in Catania with minimum 30% natural wines; local, seasonal food and Sicilian artisan producers.

Pours: Natural Nerello Mascalese, Natural Carricante, Frappato naturale

Tip: Pairs well with a visit to the Catania fish market nearby.

RIX Catania ★ 4.2

Catania's lively natural-wine bar and shop with a creative kitchen; the 30%-natural wine floor makes this a gateway for low-intervention Sicilian discoveries.

The list: Bar, restaurant and wine shop with 30%-plus natural wines; local, seasonal and mostly organic food pairings; Raisin-verified natural wine venue.

Pours: Natural Etna DOC, Sicilian orange wine, Natural Cerasuolo di Vittoria

Tip: The orange wine selection from Sicilian producers is unusually deep for a bar.

Enoteca Regionale di Sicilia ★ 4.5

Family-run regional wine shop in Catania's old town with an impressive range of wines from small wineries across all of Sicily; Sylvia the daughter speaks fluent English; wine tasting possible on request.

Tip: A reliable benchmark for the full spectrum of Sicilian wines; the liquori and pistachio products are also excellent.

Nelson Sicily ★ 4.4

Specialist Sicilian wine and food shop in Catania's Baroque quarter; online store since 2013 with two physical Crociferi storefronts; curated selection of Sicilian estates and artisan producers.

Tip: The second store at Via Crociferi 14 in the San Benedetto monastery is the wine-bar format; No. 50 is the full retail shop.