Regional Institute of Wine and Oil

Sicilian wine conquers the international scene: the Concours Mondial de Bruxelles and the Etna Days in Catania

From 16th to 20th September, Sicily will be at the centre of the attention of the international wine community thanks to two important events: the Concours Mondial de Bruxelles – Sweet, Fortified, and Oxidative Wines Session (16–19 September) and the Etna Days (September 18–20). Two distinct yet complementary events, positioning the island as a crossroads for quality wine in the Mediterranean and a laboratory for discussion on the future of viticulture.

An international audience for a leading Sicily
Beyond 70 international journalists, trainers and operators coming from Belgium, France, Great Britain, Italy, Finland, Spain, Canada, Hungary, Croatia, North Macedonia, Turkey, Ireland, United States, Qatar, Netherlands and Austria They will participate in tours, tastings, masterclasses, and roundtable discussions. This exceptional lineup confirms Sicily as a platform for discussion and global visibility on the major themes of contemporary wine.

Sweet and fortified wines at the heart of the Concours
The Concours Mondial de Bruxelles, one of the most prestigious wine competitions in the world, brings to Catania more than 400 international champions, with particular attention to the sweet and fortified Sicilian wines that have made the island's winemaking history: Marsala, Passito di Pantelleria, Malvasia delle Lipari, Moscato di Siracusa and NotoThese very wines will be the protagonists of the UNESCO candidacy process for the recognition of sweet and fortified wines from the Sun Belt Zone as intangible cultural heritage of humanity. The initiative is promoted byRegional Department of Agriculture in collaboration with the protection consortia.

IRVO's commitment
The IRVO – Regional Institute of Wines and Oils of Sicily, directed by Dr. Vito Bentivegna, is at the forefront of the event's technical and institutional organization. "For us, this is a moment of great interest," stated Director Bentivegna, "because, in addition to promoting Sicily's fortified and sweet wines, it allows us to showcase the entire regional wine scene to the world. We are deeply aware of the importance of this event and have organized it with great commitment to showcasing the best of our excellence."

Bentivegna also emphasized how the Concours' return to Sicily confirms the validity of the path undertaken.

Watch the director's full interview: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=reY4LR4JCfI

“Supporting this initiative means recognizing the value of a sector that expresses the history, technique and culture of Sicilian wine – declares the Extraordinary Commissioner, Giusi Mistretta Catania will be the ideal stage to showcase to the world the excellence of our passito, marsala, malvasia, moscato, and fortified wines, testaments to an authentic, sunny, and resilient Sicily. The Concours Mondial de Bruxelles represents both a challenge and an opportunity for our production system: it's a chance to reaffirm that, even in the most refined segments of the market, Sicily is a leading player. At the same time, the candidacy of the so-called Sun Belt Zone, recognized by UNESCO as an intangible cultural heritage of humanity, intends to enhance not only the extraordinary winemaking richness of these territories, but also the wealth of knowledge, techniques, agricultural practices, and social traditions. The goal is to support and contribute, together with the Department of Agriculture, Rural Development, and Mediterranean Fisheries, to this important process, aimed at protecting a collective cultural heritage, founded on unique territories, particular microclimates and communities that have been able to make gentle and fortified viticulture a symbol of identity and an economic driver.”

Etna Days: The volcano that speaks to the world
From 18th to 20th September the Etna Days, dedicated to the promotion of Etna DOC denomination, a symbol of volcanic and mountain viticulture. More than 100,000 people will be involved. 90 cellars for a total of approximately 500 labels to taste, with a program that will take guests to explore the slopes of Etna, the historic Contrade and the centuries-old vineyards.

There joint presence of the members of the Concours jury and international journalists also at the Etna Days underlines the strategic connection between the two events: a unique opportunity to tell the story strength of Sicilian wine, between history, biodiversity, innovation and sustainability.

Institutions: incoming and strategic relations
For theRegional Councillor for Agriculture, Salvatore Barbagallo, this is a fundamental stage in the path of the Sicily, European Region of Gastronomy 2025:

The wine industry is currently facing decisive challenges, and all initiatives supporting producers in their internationalization, research, and development efforts must be strengthened. They must open up to new markets and improve existing ones.

The Councillor also highlighted the value of the incoming of operators, journalists and buyers on the island: “It is in the production areas and through the direct stories of the producers that commercial relationships and partnerships can be built that are useful for the development and enhancement of the value of the bottle of wine 'born in Sicily'.”

Even the Municipality of Catania, represented by theCouncilor Andrea Guzzardi, enthusiastically welcomed the initiative, underlining that since 2024 the city is officially City of Wine and reaffirming its vocation as a center of cultural and food and wine exchange for eastern Sicily.

A global showcase for Sicilian wine
The Concours Mondial de Bruxelles they Etna Days They are not simply events: they represent an observatory on the dynamics of contemporary wine, a space for international cooperation, and a concrete opportunity to strengthen the identity and reputation of Sicilian wine around the world.

In this setting, the sweet and fortified wines and the wines of Etna speak with one voice: that of an island that has chosen to interpret its identity as a competitive, shared and universal resource.