Etna: Winter was cold, quite rainy with quite a few snowfalls. There was a bit of rain in springtime, after which the weather was quite warm and it got very hot after the 15th of August. Weather in September and October was excellent. “….wonderful clusters at harvest, acidity of must was perfect, high content in sugar. Although it is still early to say so, 2006 looks like an important vintage. …..We started picking around the 15th of October and we finished at the end of October…” (Alice Bonaccorsi owner of Azienda Agricola Bonaccorsi)

Island of Pantelleria “…2006 was a very dry year, and this favoured the quality of Zibibbo grapes (Passito di Pantelleria is made with dried grapes) that was exceptional……” (Salvatore Ferrandes owner of the homonymous winery)