When I take a sip of Sicilian wine, I have a unique sensation. I feel a warm ray of joy rising from the region of my heart to my face and making me smile. I rejoice every time I take my first sip of Sicilian wine. It is not like the first sip of another Italian wine, which can be excellent, it lies down with soft warmth, gently envelops, warms. But this ray of joy from the region of the heart to the face gives only Sicilian wine. And then this feeling pours out with the second and third wave of tender joy somewhere upward, such overflows of joy, make a person light. And this is not just my feelings, I asked others, they feel the same.
And we have tried to figure it out many times. For example, when we drank medium quality French wine that can be freely purchased in the store, at the same price as Sicilian and Italian wine, then French wine of the same category gives a completely different feeling. French wine floats somewhere on the outward level of sensation, without going inward, and you just try to cope with the wave that French wine causes externally, but it doesn't touch you internally. While Sicilian wine does not in any way limit the range of external sensations, it gives maximum freedom and lightness, just enjoy from the inside. I would say that Sicilian wine is like a spiritual balm. French wine is more of a passion. Continental Italian wine is, perhaps, tender, like a mother. But Sicilian wine gathers you and focuses you on the main joy, deeper and invigorates you, making you light.
But I know very well that Sicilian wine can be different, there are many varieties, each with its own history. And this is all the more surprising because all Sicilian wine gives a feeling of joy and lightness from the inside. For me, it was a bit of a mystery, I wanted to try varieties of Sicilian wine and see the difference. Now I can say that, yes, it is different, but it has exactly this common property: joy from within, warmth, invigorating, not awkward. I think this is probably due not even to the grape variety, but to the energy of the people who make the wine. Because each of our work carries a charge of energy that we transfer to it. We ask a Sicilian connoisseur about Sicilian wine, because Sicily is his home, Nicolò Reina, the manager of the Custonaci Tourist Office.
- Hi, Nicolo.
- Hello Elena.
- Nicolo, wine is the important part of people's culture. The Holy Scriptures speak many times of wine, it is a very symbolic and useful product. I assume that wine has been a treasure of Sicilian culture since ancient times, what is known?
- Elena, you're right, wine is a very important part of people's culture. The remains found in the areas of Mount Kronio (Sciacca) and Sant'Ippolito (Caltagirone) are at least 6,000 years old. That is, the wine of Sicily is one of the oldest on earth. The technology of making wine makes it a part of our life for a long time. The wine remains with us for several years, and in the same containers we plant a new harvest, and this is how the continuity of cultural traditions is achieved. Wine accompanies us in joy and difficulty, we obviously transmit the spiritual meanings of the events of our life to the wine. This can be felt when taking a sip of wine, although I admit that different people may perceive it differently. What do you think is the most impressive wine of Sicily?
- I think, of course, Nero D'Avola. This is an extraordinary wine, it really thrills the heart with its deep intonations and overflows with taste, color and aroma. Avola is located in the south-east of Sicily in the province of Syracuse.
- Yes, yes. I remember this wine very well, this is a true volcano of taste, a powerful wave of energy pours into you with every sip, freeing you from worries. You find yourself in another dimension of life after taking a sip of Nero. It remains in your attention, like a good conversationalist, and does not let you go.
- Probably yes. But you know that there are other excellent wines from the grapes that grow on the slopes of Etna. Obviously Etna gives the grapes both a richness of taste, since the slopes of the volcano have an extremely rich soil, and a sparkling energy. Etna attracts people from all over the world like a magnet, with its beauty and its powerful energy. Etna is like an affectionate mother, it gives us joy, gladdens our heart and enriches our land. I fully understand that this is passed on to the wines we make and drink. Spiritually, this is a single cultural whole: our land, our vine cultivation and wine. On the slopes of Etna are also grown Nerello Mascalese and Nerello Cappuccio, red grapes, they are beautiful. But there are also some amazing white grapes that can give you that feeling of radiant joy from within, you described. This is the Carricante. And there are, of course, this wonderful wine of the Grillo and Catarratto varieties.
- You know, I wasn't a big fan of white wines until I tasted Sicilian wines. Grillo and Catarratto are truly fantastic, unique, unlike anything else. You cannot forget the taste of these wines, everything else vanishes.
- This is probably the case, because Catarratto often becomes a part of the composition of continental Italian wines. Today, the province of Trapani alone produces 10% of Italian wine, although only 20% is labeled as Sicilian.
- Since wine is an important component of people's culture, the history of wine probably reflects the history of this land as a whole. What do you say?
- This is fair enough. I think some of the grapes were brought by the Phoenicians in the 8th-7th century BC. Along with this, some secrets of winemaking probably arrived. It must be understood that there are many vines in Sicily, western vines differ from oriental ones. In eastern Sicily, from the VII-VI century BC, the Greek methods of viticulture "alberello" spread. Since then, wine has been produced in a traditional way for centuries. Furthermore, no doubt, the Byzantine culture has made a great contribution to the development of winemaking in Sicily.
Subsequently, as an industry, winemaking also had significant events, such as the birth of Marsala wine. In 1773, the Englishman Woodhouse landed at the port of Marsala, tasted Sicilian wine and began to experiment with it, adding his secrets on how to make wine stronger, for the more northerly populations this is relevant. Since then, Marsala wine has been a brilliant branch of winemaking. It has its own secrets of craftsmanship and wonderful properties of wine. Wine has been the main medicine for centuries and new wine varieties have emerged. Marsala was the first DOC wine in Italian wine history. Since then, the wine has clearly stood out for its place of origin, it is so important which land and whose hands produced it.
- Does this mean that wine is a symbol of Sicilian prosperity?
- Wine is more of a witness to the development of Sicily. In the first half of the twentieth century, like all agriculture, viticulture experienced difficult times. Working with the land requires constant attention and calmness, the twentieth century with its wars did not contribute to this. However, in the 50s of the 20th century, individual winemakers joined together in cooperatives and created large wineries. Since then, the Settesoli di Menfi Winery and the Trapani Cooperative Winery have survived. Anyone who comes to our Tourist Office in Custonaci can get to know our wine. Since the 70s, we can speak of a rebirth of the traditions of agriculture and winemaking in Sicily. Today, the industry is made up of millions of hectoliters of wine from around 110 thousand hectares of vineyards. But despite industrial development, we keep wine as our value, transferring the energy of our heart to it.
- Thanks, Nicolò. Sicilian wine for me is the best in the world.
Thanks, Elena, we're trying.
When I take a sip of Sicilian wine, I have a unique sensation. I feel a warm ray of joy rising from the region of my heart to my face and making me smile.
Когда я выпиваю глоток сицилийского вина, я испытываю уникальные чувства. Я чувствую, что из области моего сердца поднимается теплый луч радости к лицу и делает меня улыбающейся.
I rejoice every time I take my first sip of Sicilian wine.
Я радуюсь каждый раз, когда делаю первый глоток Сицилийского вина.
It is not like the first sip of another Italian wine, which can be excellent, it lies down with soft warmth, gently envelops, warms.
Это не то же самое, что первый глоток другого итальянского вина, которое может быть отличным, оно ложится мягкой теплотой, обволакивает ласково, согревает.
But this ray of joy from the region of the heart to the face gives only Sicilian wine.
Но этот луч светлой радости от области сердца к лицу дает только Сицилийское вино.
And then this feeling pours out with the second and third wave of tender joy somewhere upward, such overflows of joy, make a person light.
И затем это чувство разливается второй и третьей волной нежной радости в направлении куда-то вверх, такие переливы легкой радости, они делают человека светлым и легким.
And this is not just my feelings, I asked others, they feel the same.
И это не только мои ощущения, я спрашивала других, они чувствуют то же самое.
And we have tried to figure it out many times.
И мы много раз пытались в этом разобраться.
For example, when we drank medium quality French wine that can be freely purchased in the store, at the same price as Sicilian and Italian wine, then French wine of the same category gives a completely different feeling.
Например, когда мы выпивали французское вино среднего качества, которое можно свободно купить в магазине, как и Сицилийское и итальянское вино, по тем же ценам, то французское вино той же категории дает совсем другое ощущение.
French wine floats somewhere on the outward level of sensation, without going inward, and you just try to cope with the wave that French wine causes externally, but it doesn't touch you internally.
Французское вино останавливается где-то на внешнем уровне ощущений, не проходя внутрь, и ты пытаешься просто справиться с волной, которую вызывает французское вино внешне, но оно не затрагивает тебя внутри.
While Sicilian wine does not in any way limit the range of external sensations, it gives maximum freedom and lightness, just enjoy from the inside.
В то время, как Сицилийское вино никак не ограничивает внешний ряд ощущений, оно дает максимальную свободу и легкость, ты просто радуешься изнутри.
I would say that Sicilian wine is like a spiritual balm. French wine is more of a passion.
Я бы сказала, Сицилийское вино подобно духовному бальзаму. Французское вино – это скорее страсть.
Continental Italian wine is, perhaps, tender, like a mother.
Материковое итальянское вино, пожалуй, ласковое, как мама.
But Sicilian wine gathers you and focuses you on the main joy, deeper and invigorates you, making you light.
Но сицилийское вино собирает тебя и фокусирует тебя на главной, самой глубокой радости и бодрит тебя, делая легким.
But I know very well that Sicilian wine can be different, there are many varieties, each with its own history.
Однако, я отлично знаю, что Сицилийское вино бывает разным, там множество сортов, имеющих каждый свою историю.
And this is all the more surprising because all Sicilian wine gives a feeling of joy and lightness from the inside.
И это тем более изумительно, что все сицилийское вино дает чувство радости и легкости изнутри.
For me, it was a bit of a mystery, I wanted to try varieties of Sicilian wine and see the difference.
Это было некоторой загадкой для меня, мне хотелось попробовать разные сорта Сицилийского вина и увидеть разницу.
Now I can say that, yes, it is different, but it has exactly this common property: joy from within, warmth, invigorating, not awkward.
Теперь я могу сказать, что, да, оно отличается, однако в нем есть именно это общее свойство – радость изнутри, теплота, бодрящая, а не стесняющая тебя.
I think this is probably due not even to the grape variety, but to the energy of the people who make the wine.
Я думаю, это связано, вероятно, даже не с сортом винограда, а с энергией людей, которые делают вино.
Because each of our work carries a charge of energy that we transfer to it.
Потому что каждое наше произведение несет заряд энергии, который мы передаем ему.
We ask a Sicilian connoisseur about Sicilian wine, because Sicily is his home, Nicolò Reina, the manager of the Custonaci Tourist Office.
Но, давайте спросим о сицилийском вине того, кто является знатоком Сицилии, потому что Сицилия это его дом, Николо Рейна, дипенденте Туристического офиса Кустоначи.
- Hi, Nicolo.
- Здравстуй, Николо.
- Hello Elena.
- Здравстуй, Елена.
- Nicolo, wine is the important part of people's culture. The Holy Scriptures speak many times of wine, it is a very symbolic and useful product. I assume that wine has been a treasure of Sicilian culture since ancient times, what is known?
- Николо, вино – это важнейшая часть культуры народа. В Священном Писании много раз говорится о вине, это очень символичный и полезный продукт. Я предполагаю, что вино с древности является сокровищем сицилийской культуры, что об этом известно?
- Elena, you're right, wine is a very important part of people's culture. The remains found in the areas of Mount Kronio (Sciacca) and Sant'Ippolito (Caltagirone) are at least 6,000 years old.
- Елена, ты права, вино является очень важной частью культуры народа. Остатки, обнаруженные в районах monte Kronio (Sciacca) e Sant'Ippolito (Caltagirone) имеют возраст по крайне мере 6000 лет.
That is, the wine of Sicily is one of the oldest on earth. The technology of making wine makes it a part of our life for a long time.
То есть, вино Сицилии – одно из старейших на земле. Сама технология приготовления вина делает его участником нашей жизни длительное время.
The wine remains with us for several years, and in the same containers we plant a new harvest, and this is how the continuity of cultural traditions is achieved.
Вино остается с нами несколько лет, и мы закладываем новый урожай в те же емкости, и так совершается преемственность культурных традиций.
Wine accompanies us in joy and difficulty, we obviously transmit the spiritual meanings of the events of our life to the wine.
Вино сопровождает нас в радости и в трудности, мы, конечно же, передаем вину духовные значения событий нашей жизни.
This can be felt when taking a sip of wine, although I admit that different people may perceive it differently.
Это может ощущаться при выпивании глотка вина, хотя я допускаю, что разные люди могут воспринимать это по-разному.
- What do you think is the most impressive wine of Sicily?
- Какое самое впечатляющее вино Сицилии, как по-твоему?
- I think, of course, Nero D'Avola. This is an extraordinary wine, it really thrills the heart with its deep intonations and overflows with taste, color and aroma. Avola is located in the south-east of Sicily in the province of Syracuse.
- Я думаю, что, конечно, Неро Д’Авола. Это потрясающее вино, оно по-истине волнует сердце его глубокими интонациями и переливами вкуса, цвета и аромата. Авола находится на Юго-Востоке Сицилии в провинции Сиракузы.
- Yes, yes. I remember this wine very well, this is a true volcano of taste, a powerful wave of energy pours into you with every sip, freeing you from worries.
- Да, да. Я отлично помню это вино, это настоящий вулкан вкуса, мощная волна энергии вливается в тебя при каждом глотке, освобождая тебя от забот и тревог.
You find yourself in another dimension of life after taking a sip of Nero. It remains in your attention, like a good conversationalist, and does not let you go.
Ты оказываешься в другом измерении жизни, выпив глоток Неро. Оно держит тебя во внимании, как хороший собеседник и не отпускает.
- Probably yes. But you know that there are other excellent wines from the grapes that grow on the slopes of Etna.
- Наверное, это так. Но ты знаешь, что есть другие отличные вина из винограда, растущего на склонах Этны.
Obviously Etna gives the grapes both a richness of taste, since the slopes of the volcano have an extremely rich soil, and a sparkling energy.
Очевидно, Этна придает винограду как насыщенность вкуса, поскольку склоны вулкана имеют крайне обогащенную почву, так и искрящуюся энергетику.
Etna attracts people from all over the world like a magnet, with its beauty and its powerful energy.
Этна притягивает людей со всего мира, как магнит, ее красотой и мощной энергией.
Etna is like an affectionate mother, it gives us joy, gladdens our heart and enriches our land.
Этна – как ласковая мать, дает нам радость, веселит наше сердце, обогащает нашу почву.
I fully understand that this is passed on to the wines we make and drink.
Я вполне понимаю, что это передается вину, которое мы делаем.
Spiritually, this is a single cultural whole: our land, our vine cultivation and wine.
Духовно, это единое культурное целое – наша земля, наше возделывание винограда и вино.
On the slopes of Etna are also grown Nerello Mascalese and Nerello Cappuccio, red grapes, they are beautiful.
На склоне Этны выращиваются также Nerello mascalese и Nerello cappuccio красные сорта винограда, они прекрасны.
But there are also some amazing white grapes that can give you that feeling of radiant joy from within, you described.
Но также есть изумительные сорта белого винограда, которые, возможно, и дают то самое чувство светлой радости изнутри, которое ты описала.
This is the Carricante. And there are, of course, this wonderful wine of the Grillo and Catarratto varieties.
Это Carricante. И там, конечно, это чудесное вино сортов Grillo и Catarratto.
- You know, I wasn't a big fan of white wines until I tasted Sicilian wines. Grillo and Catarratto are truly fantastic, unique, unlike anything else. You cannot forget the taste of these wines, everything else vanishes.
- Ты знаешь, я не была большим любителем белых вин, пока я не попробовала Сицилийские вина. Грилло и Катарратто, в самом деле, изумительные, уникальные, не похожие ни на что другое. Ты не можешь забыть вкус этих вин, все остальное блекнет.
- This is probably the case, because Catarratto often becomes a part of the composition of continental Italian wines. Today, the province of Trapani alone produces 10% of Italian wine, although only 20% is labeled as Sicilian.
- Наверное это так, потому что Катарратто часто становится частью композиции материковых итальянских вин. На сегодня одна только провинция Трапани производит 10% итальянского вина, хотя маркируется как Сицилийское только 20%.
- Since wine is an important component of people's culture, the history of wine probably reflects the history of this land as a whole. What do you say?
- Поскольку вино является важной составляющей народной культуры, то в истории вина, вероятно, отразилась История этой земли, в целом. Что ты скажешь?
- This is fair enough. I think some of the grapes were brought by the Phoenicians in the 8th-7th century BC.
- Это вполне справедливо. Я думаю, что некоторые сорта винограда были привезены Финикийцами в 8-7 веках до нашей эры.
Along with this, some secrets of winemaking probably arrived. It must be understood that there are many vines in Sicily, western vines differ from oriental ones.
Вместе с этим прибыли, вероятно, какие-то секреты виноделия. Надо понимать, что сортов винограда на Сицилии очень много, западные сорта отличаются от восточных.
In eastern Sicily, from the VII-VI century BC, the Greek methods of viticulture "alberello" spread.
В восточной Сицилии с 7-6 веков до нашей эры распространялись греческие приемы производства вина, они известны под названием "alberello".
Since then, wine has been produced in a traditional way for centuries. Furthermore, no doubt, the Byzantine culture has made a great contribution to the development of winemaking in Sicily.
С тех пор, вино производилось традиционными способами веками. Также, несомненно, византийская культура внесла большой вклад в развитие виноделия Сицилии.
Subsequently, as an industry, winemaking also had significant events, such as the birth of Marsala wine.
Позднее, как индустрия, виноделие также имело яркие события, как, например, рождение вина Марсала.
In 1773, the Englishman Woodhouse landed at the port of Marsala, tasted Sicilian wine and began to experiment with it, adding his secrets on how to make wine stronger, for the more northerly populations this is relevant.
В 1773 году англичанин Вудхаус высадился в порту Марсала, попробовал Сицилийское вино и начал экспериментировать с ним, добавляя свои секреты, как сделать вино крепче, для более северных народов это актуально.
Since then, Marsala wine has been a brilliant branch of winemaking. It has its own secrets of craftsmanship and wonderful properties of wine. С тех пор вино Марсала – это отдельная яркая ветвь виноделия. Там есть свои секреты мастерства и прекрасные свойства вина.
Wine has been the main medicine for centuries and new wine varieties have emerged.
Вино было основным лекарством на протяжении веков, поэтому появлялись новые сорта вина.
Marsala was the first DOC wine in Italian wine history. Since then, the wine has clearly stood out for its place of origin, it is so important which land and whose hands produced it.
Марсала была первым DOC вином Италии в истории вина. С тех пор вино различают четко по месту его происхождения, настолько важно, какая земля и чьи руки его произвели.
- Does this mean that wine is a symbol of Sicilian prosperity?
- Значит ли это, что вино – символ процветания Сицилии?
- Wine is more of a witness to the development of Sicily. In the first half of the twentieth century, like all agriculture, viticulture experienced difficult times.
- Вино – скорее свидетель развития Сицилии. В первой половине 20 века, как и все сельское хозяйство, виноградорство переживало сложные времена.
Working with the land requires constant attention and calmness, the twentieth century with its wars did not contribute to this.
Работа с землей требует постоянного внимания и спокойствия, 20 век с его войнами не способствовал этому.
However, in the 50s of the 20th century, individual winemakers joined together in cooperatives and created large wineries.
Однако, в 50 годы 20 века отдельные виноделы объединились в кооперативы и создали большие винные погреба.
Since then, the Settesoli di Menfi Winery and the Trapani Cooperative Winery have survived.
С тех пор сохранились винодельня Settesoli di Menfi и кооперативная винодельня Трапани.
Anyone who comes to our Tourist Office in Custonaci can get to know our wine.
Любой, кто приезжает в наш Туристический офис Кустоначи, может познакомиться с нашим вином.
Since the 70s, we can speak of a rebirth of the traditions of agriculture and winemaking in Sicily.
Начиная с 70 годов 20 века можно говорить о возрождении традиций сельского хозяйства и виноделия на Сицилии.
Today, the industry is made up of millions of hectoliters of wine from around 110 thousand hectares of vineyards.
На сегодня, индустрия – это миллионы гектолитров вина из примерно 110 тысяч гектаров виноградников.
But despite industrial development, we keep wine as our value, transferring the energy of our heart to it.
Но, несмотря на индустриальное развитие, мы сохраняем вино как нашу ценность, передавая ему энергию наших сердец.
- Thanks, Nicolò. Sicilian wine for me is the best in the world.
- Спасибо, Николо. Вино Сицилии для меня самое лучшее в мире.
- Thanks, Elena, we're trying.
- Спасибо, Елена, мы стараемся.
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