Italian and Sicilian food and drink
- Cookery Schools in Italy
- Italian Vineyards
- Sicilian and Italian food
- Recommended Restaurants in Sicily, Italy
Cookery School
Tastes of Sicily - La Cucina del Sole
What to say? Eleonora Consoli is an excellent cook, a perfect hostess and a great friend. After leading several cuisine tv programs for more than 15 years and some excellent and refined books in the field, Eleonora decided to start the adventure of La Cucina del Sole to please her enthusiasm in cooking and a huge and unexpected demand from friends, acquaintances and simple tv-viewers. She was a special guest at La Cucina Italiana magazine in New York City. Her books are now published in Japan, too. She is an honorary member of the Italian Cooking Academy.
Eleonora is pleased to introduce Sicilian cuisine and the still-alive value of a culinary tradition to any 
beginner or accomplished cook. According to this tradition of bounty and simplicity, cooking and meals are occasions to live joyfully and share important moments with relatives and friends.
Classes are held in her classic local style home n Viagrande, one of the most scenic villages on the hills of the Etna Volcano.
During the lesson, which lasts about 3 hours with final tasting, Eleonora explains other recipes, makes suggestions and historical references, tells anecdotes.
Vineyards
Melia's family has a rich viticultural history dating back to mid-1800. In the old family-owned vineyards, Melia brothers realised the idea of producing prestigious red wines in a land traditionally dedicated to white wine production: Alcamo. Against all odds, the pioneering Melia discovered Alcamo's viticultural potential for red grape growing.
By the beginning of '90 red grapes varieties were being introduced: Nero d’Avola besides to Cabernet Sauvignon, and Merlot. And red wine making legend began pointing to high quality standards.
Located a few kilometres west of Alcamo in a soft hilly landscape, family-owned estate consists of 30 hectares, 22 of which are cultivated as vineyards. A great deal of time and passion is invested in vineyard's management, drawing a great attention to low yield, high planting density, right exposure to sunlight, careful choice of training system. Besides, the fertility of calcareous and clayey soil, the unique Mediterranean climate seem to be well suit-ed for growing premium grapes for red wine. Vintage, selectively hand-picked, takes place in September, fulfilling the best ripening of grapes.
Sicilian Food
Also interested in Korean food, cuisine and drink?
Recommended Restaurants
Ristorante La Pigna
This prestigious restaurant with a spectacular view of Mount Etna is located inside the Hotel Villa Paradiso dell'Etna. Guests can choose from Sicilian, Italian or international dishes but all are cooked with the freshest of 
local ingredients. We strongly recommend savouring the Sicilian menu and the restaurant is fully air conditioned and is suitable for large receptions and other parties and celebrations. All major credit cards are accepted. Ristorante La Pigna. Via per Viagrande 37, 95030 S.G.La Punta (Catania).
Sicily Extra information section.
