Sicilian apéritif for hot summer nights

Martin G., who was in one of our latest tailor-made cookery tours, sent me an email as soon as he got back to London. He is organising a Sicilian theme dinner party for his friends and wanted to know if there was something Sicilian he could serve as an apéritif.

I immediately asked him if he had followed my advice and got a bottle of Almond Wine before leaving. He said yes, so that was it, perfect!

Almond wine is a specialty of Castelmola, a small medieval mountain village situated on a cliff above Taormina. The village is really charming and offers a great view over Taormina and Mount Etna. It is also renown for its sweet almond wine "Vino di Mandorla" that you can find at the Bar Sangiorgio where you should ask for the Blandanino Riserva Speciale.

The habit of adding fruits and spices to wine dates back to Ancient Greece, this was both a way to preserve wine and also improve its taste towards the end of the year ( last months before the new harvest) as the lack of efficient method to store it, often ruined the taste.
At the beginning of the XX century, Don Vincenzo Blandano in Castelmola had the idea of following this tradition and created this lovely wine prepared with dry white wine, alcohol infused with bitter almonds, herbs and citrus flavour.
The wine, also known as Blandanino, is often used to prepare desserts and cocktails. I love it dry and chilled, with a slice of orange or lemon as an apéritif.
even the colours are a perfect match for Sicilian mid-summer sunsets.
My little secret? I squeeze just a dash of orange or lemon juice just before serving.

Have a nice party Martin;)!