The other side of the volcano: a eno gastronomic tour

Sicily is the region with the most ancient tradition in wine making. So ancient to fade into the mythological legend: the image of Ulysses Odysseus- generously serving cups of wine to the giant Polyphemus has deeply marked the collective imagery of western world.

Afterall the monster with a single front eye, who throws big rocks into the Ionian sea, is just a symbolic figuration of a crater (or the volcano itself) as it was appearing to the eyes, fascinated and frightened, of the first Greek settlers who arrived in Sicily back in the 8th century BC.

No wonder, then, if the association of wine-volcano has a long lasting appeal, deeply rooted, as it is witnessed by the coins minted 5 centuries B.C. and the presence of qualities of grapes that were cultivated here in the remote past, and also ancient mores related to the harvest and wine making.

It is not a case that the mythological name of this land was Enotria, before being named "Trinacria" by the Greeks. Wine has continued ever since to be a permanent distinctive sign of the territory, regarding both the agriculture and the economy.

In the last decades a radical innovation has improved the quality of the product, together with the introduction of new qualities of vines, with surprising excellent results.

So the attractions of Etna are not confined to geology and vulcanology of the highest active volcano in Europe but they also encompass a rewarding range of tastes for the delight of the tourist gourmand.

The landscape, rich and varied, does not provide only dreadful lava fields, but shows also an extraordinary richness of lush vegetation, often marked by typical coltures.

Local country fairs from time to time propose the authentic tastes of the volcano: Together with wine, main actor of the scene, the chestnuts, the mushrooms from the woods, the pistachio from Bronte, the cactus of Belpasso and Biancavilla, honey from Zafferana, the hazelnuts from the valley of the Alcantara Riviera.

The itinerary we propose aims to combine the enjoyment of the Etnean landscape with the tasting of typical local products.

The excursion will touch the most suggestive places on the volcano.

After admiring the woods, craters and ancient and recent lava flows, stop at a winery on the eastern slope to visit the vineyard, the cellars and taste a good glass of Etna Rosso, accompanied by typical Sicilian dishes that are best suited to the season: caponata, parmigiana, stuffed omelettes, aubergine timbale, olives, cold meats and cheeses.