As we conclude the work for the 2025 edition of the Gambero Rosso Vini d'Italia guide, we proudly present 28 wines awarded the Tre Bicchieri, the highest recognition. As anticipated, Etna plays the leading role, especially with its red wines, with nine wines reaching the top of the podium (one of which is Frank Cornelissen’s Munjebel Rosso MC, which is released without a designation).
Tre Bicchieri 2025 from Sicily: from Etna wines to Nero d’Avola
Frank is quite the character, renowned for his early discovery of the Etna region (back in 2001), but also for his tendency to go beyond conventions and dogmas, exploring and probing, almost like a diviner, that world which was then static and largely immobile. He could easily claim the slogan, "Cornelissen: Etna, beyond Etna". His internationally renowned wines interpret the volcanic area with originality and impeccable technique, captivating with their strong character and authenticity.
There are only two whites from the Volcano, but we can assure you that the average quality is impressive. The two Etna Bianco wines awarded the Tre Bicchieri are Graci’s Etna Bianco Muganazzi ‘22 and Maugeri’s Etna Bianco Sup. Contrada Volpare ‘23.
We admired the elegance and finesse of the first, as with the entire range of wines presented this year by Alberto Aiello Graci, which capture the volcanic terroir in an unparalleled way through labels from different contrade, where local grape varieties respond uniquely depending on exposure, soils, and the age of the vineyards.
The second is produced by Renato Maugeri, who, with his daughters Carla, Paola, and Michela, runs the estate in Contrada Volpare, in the municipality of Milo. We are at an altitude of 700 metres on the eastern slope of Etna, in an area where the vineyards directly overlook the Ionian Sea. Here, around an 19th-century palmento, bordered by typical dry-stone walls made of lava stone, lie five hectares of terraced vineyards, all planted with carricante, except for a small amount of catarratto.
Among the other native grape varieties featured in the Tre Bicchieri 2025, we also highlight nero d’Avola, a variety on which several wineries have resumed betting, such as Duca di Salaparuta with Sicilia Nero d’Avola Duca Enrico ‘20 and Feudo Maccari with Sicilia Nero d’Avola Saia ‘22.
Beyond this, the Sicilian Tre Bicchieri wines represent a wine list that crosses many grape varieties, many regions, and many production styles. You can find our favourites listed below.
Sparkling wines surpass still wines in Italian out-of-home consumption. Most popular during the aperitif
American Barbecue wins a Michelin star for the first time in history
Prosecco Superiore: the 8 best selected by Gambero Rosso
Italian wineries face rising debts and falling revenues as wine industry grapples with economic uncertainty
Enzo Coccia leaves Rome for an ambitious project in the United States: "but La Notizia stays"
