Gourmet Tour - Mamertino Path Wine Experience

OVERVIEW

Gain insight into the foods and wines produced around the inland town of Santa Lucia del Mela while visiting a winery and farm. The wines are fermented in terracotta amphorae, much like it was done thousands of years ago. Unlike wooden or steel vessels, terracotta provides superior insulation, removes acidity from the wine and allows for better oxygen exchange. One of the wines that has been revitalized in this area – a mamertino – was a favorite of Julius Caesar and so beloved that the Roman scholar Pliny described it in his book Natural History. After touring the wine cellar and dining on Sicilian cuisine thoughtfully paired with wines, you will follow a path through the vineyards and olive groves to a nearby farm. Although dozens of traditional cheeses are made in Sicily, this farm produces a rare one that uses donkey milk. The dairy farmer will describe the process and offer a tasting.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Tour a winery known for its mamertino, a wine that Julius Caesar adored.
• Walk through the vineyards, tour the cellar and enjoy a wine tasting with lunch.
• Visit a farm that produces an unusual cheese with donkey milk.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.