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EAT SLEEP WINE REPEAT: A wine podcastAuthor: Janina Doyle
A wine podcast bringing the joys of wine to wherever you are in the world. This is the place for fun, casual wine conversations, with tips, wine facts and wine tasting to inspire your next bottle of wine or vineyard visit. Listen to Winemakers, Sommeliers and Master of Wines who share their extensive knowledge, talking about wine regions and their terroir, their favourite wine pairings and winemaking techniques. This podcast is ideal for anyone starting their wine journey and studying WSET level 1 and 2 or just some great revision for those of you going even further. So grab that wine glass and lets get stuck in! Language: en Contact email: Get it Feed URL: Get it iTunes ID: Get it |
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Ep 255 - Vittoria Wine Region, Sicily - Organic Wine, Indigenous Grapes & Sicilian Wine Travel
Episode 272
Monday, 30 March, 2026
In this episode of the Eat Sleep Wine Repeat wine podcast, Janina heads to Vittoria in the south of Sicily to explore one of Italy’s most exciting and evolving wine regions. Joined by Stefano Girelli of Santa Tresa and Cortese, this episode blends wine education with a deep dive into organic viticulture, biodiversity, and the future of wine grapes in a warming climate. From indigenous Sicilian varieties to experimental vineyards preserving rare grapes, you’ll learn about wine through both tradition and innovation. And if you’re dreaming of wine travel, this episode might just inspire your next trip to Sicily. 05:28 – An introduction to Santa Tresa and Cortese, and how the two estates differ in style, philosophy and wine expression. 08:24 – Travel tips for visiting Vittoria, including why Ragusa is an ideal and authentic place to stay when exploring the region. 09:27 – Why Vittoria still feels like a hidden gem compared to more famous Sicilian destinations, offering a more authentic wine travel experience. 11:39 – A fun dive into the portfolio: which wine is perfect for a romantic proposal or special celebration (Il Frappatto Sparkling). 12:41 – The ideal wine for a day at the beach (Grillo-Viognier) highlighting fresh, vibrant styles that suit Sicily’s coastal lifestyle (or a chilled Frappato). 14:19 – Wines for colder moments: richer, more structured styles that work perfectly by the fireplace. (Cerasuolo di Vittoria) 16:05 – The reality of going organic in Sicily, including the challenges, strict regulations and why many considered it a bold move. 18:04 – What does “organic” really mean in wine? Stefano's personal definition. 21:58 – How to recognise an organic or biodiverse vineyard just by walking through it, with practical visual clues for wine lovers. 24:03 – A return to traditional farming methods, and how modern viticulture is rediscovering practices from the past. 29:24 – Adapting to climate change: vineyard techniques such as shading, trellising and how they impact grape ripening. 31:17 – The scale of experimentation: dozens of indigenous and rare grape varieties being cultivated and studied. 33:59 – The search for the grapes of the future, and how forgotten Sicilian varieties may become key in a warming world. 37:31 – Albanello: a rediscovered white grape variety with distinctive herbal, minty and fresh characteristics. 39:54 – What will we be drinking in the future? A broader discussion on how climate change is reshaping wine regions and grape selection. 41:10 – Understanding Cerasuolo di Vittoria, Sicily 's only DOCG, and how Nero d’Avola and Frappato work together in the blend. 45:23 – Comparing styles between producers and estates, including differences in structure, fruit profile and winemaking approach. 48:37 – How different winemaking techniques affect tannin structure and texture in the final wine. 50:26 – The impact of fermentation and aging choices on flavour, colour and overall wine style. 52:35 – A look at key Sicilian wine grapes, including both well-known and lesser-known varieties. 54:44 – Catarratto Lucido and other white grapes that deserve more attention in Sicily’s evolving wine scene. 56:14 – Final reflections from Stefano on the philosophy behind the estate and the future direction of their wines. 58:56 – Why this region and these wines are worth discovering. 59:40 – A unique white blend (Vanedda) made with extended skin contact, fermented like a red wine to build structure, texture and ageing potential. 01:00:43 – Visit Santa Tresa & book a wine experience 📩 Questions or feedback? janina@eatsleepwinerepeat.co.uk 📸 Instagram: @eatsleep_winerepeat 🎥 YouTube: Eat Sleep Wine Repeat 🌐 Website: www.eatsleepwinerepeat.co.uk Cheers to you! 🥂 THE EAT SLEEP WINE REPEAT PODCAST Featured in Decanter Magazine and Radio Times, and ranked among the Top UK Wine Podcasts by Feedspot. RECOGNITION: – Finalist, 67 Pall Mall Award for Best Global Wine Communicator in Audio (2025) – Shortlisted, IWSC Emerging Talent in Wine Communication (2025) – Ranked #18 in 2024 and #22 in 2025 on Drinks Retailing’s Most Influential People in Drinks list
