CONSORZIO DOC SICILIA STRENGTHENS ITS INTERNATIONAL PRESENCE WITH EVENTS IN CANADA, USA AND UK

Consorzio di Tutela Vini DOC Sicilia has intensified its activities abroad between April and May 2025, with promotional initiatives carried out in Canada, the United States and the United Kingdom. Through events, tastings and meetings with operators in the sector, the denomination has strengthened its visibility and recognisability on international markets.

With a busy schedule between April and May, the Consorzio di Tutela Doc Sicilia continues its promotional activities in Canada, the United States and the United Kingdom.

After a start to the year marked by important international recognitions, the Consorzio di Tutela Vini DOC Sicilia has strengthened its presence in the main non-European countries through a busy program of activities held between April and May 2025. A calendar that involved three strategic areas – Canada, the United States and the United Kingdom – and which demonstrates the Consortium’s desire to consolidate the positioning of the denomination in high-potential foreign markets, in line with the objectives outlined in previous months.

“The first quarter of 2025 was a key moment to strengthen the international reputation of DOC Sicilia – says Camillo Pugliesi , Director of the Consortium – Canada, the United States and the United Kingdom are highly strategic markets, and our presence, through tastings, seminars and public relations activities, is the concrete demonstration of a constant commitment to the enhancement of our denomination. Bringing Sicily to the world means not only telling the story of a wine, but transmitting culture, history and vision. The Consortium works tirelessly to bring Sicilia DOC wines to the international circuits of winemaking excellence”.

In April, the Consortium participated in the Toronto Food and Drink Festival (April 11-13), one of Canada’s leading trade fairs for the public and food and beverage professionals, held at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre. In parallel, from April 10 to 15, a delegation from the Quebec monopoly ( SAQ ) took part in a tour of Sicily, including winery visits and cultural experiences, culminating in a grand tasting , during which 90 DOC Sicilia references were presented to officials from the Canadian monopoly, in an event organized to strengthen relations with the Quebec captive sales system.

The month of May saw the US market take centre stage with the DOC Sicilia Annual US Road Show, a series of itinerant events dedicated to the local trade. It began on May 13 in Chicago, continued on May 15 in Houston , May 19 in Washington DC and finally on May 21 in New York City , where the Grand Walk Around Tasting was held, a large tasting open to operators, press and opinion leaders, with 105 references and over 160 guests. The following day, May 22 , a tasting event took place at the refined Café Carmellini of the Fifth Avenue Hotel, dedicated to selected buyers and professionals. On May 23, an in-store tasting was held at Buy Rite in Jersey City , to bring the end consumer directly closer to the world of DOC Sicilia.

These events have already been joined by participation in the Nantucket Wine & Food Festival , one of the most exclusive events in the American wine lifestyle. The Consortium took part in the opening party “Smoked! Grill Around the World” with 14 Sicilia DOC references and three consumer sessions and one trade session between May 17 and 18, thus strengthening the visibility of the denomination among wine lovers, chefs, influencers and operators of fine dining.

The British market was also involved in the promotion of DOC Sicilia, through targeted events and promotion initiatives. From 19 to 21 May, the Consortium was present at the London Wine Fair , one of the most important B2B fairs in Europe, with an institutional stand that hosted 10 companies in rotation and another 10 represented at the bar, for a total of 65 references for tasting. At the same time, appointments at the London wine bars Tosi Gorgonzola Bar and Tappo Enoteca offered tasting moments aimed at a younger and more passionate audience. In addition to these, there were masterclasses with dinner at the restaurants Macellaio Soho and SILVA Restaurant , designed to delve deeper into food and wine pairing and stimulate dialogue with the media and operators of the ho.re.ca channel.

All these activities are part of a broader international promotion plan, launched at the beginning of the year with the support of the agencies Colangelo&Partners – for the trade channel – and Current Global – for consumer communication – in the US and Spencer&Lewis in the UK. The market study commissioned by the Consortium has already highlighted a growing attention towards the DOC Sicilia, which is perceived by professionals as one of the most promising Italian denominations for quality, authenticity and growth potential.

Thanks to a structured strategy and an active presence in key markets, DOC Sicilia continues to consolidate its role in the international wine scene, promoting an identity that combines territory, sustainability and a global vision.