Wine & Travel Mediterranean Islands

The wine culture of the Mediterranean islands is a story of sun, salt, and centuries-old craft. From the volcanic soils of Sicily to the windswept vineyards of Corsica, from the quartzite and schist rock of Porquerolles to the sun-drenched hills of Majorca, each island offers its own distinct terroir—shaped by rugged terrain, maritime breezes, and a particular climate that cultivates grapes that produce complex blends. Wines here are bold yet nuanced: minerally Assyrtiko from Greece, floral Malvasia from the Aeolian Islands, spicy reds from Sardinia’s Cannonau vines, and the elegant Vermentinos of the northern coastlines. But beyond the bottle, the experience is equally inspiring: tastings held at seaside estates, in olive groves, or in the cool atmosphere of time-worn cellars carved from stone. Here, wine isn’t just a product of the land—it’s an expression of heritage, hospitality, and the sunlit soul of island life.

The most recent addition to Assouline’s latest series, Wine & Travel, which explores emblematic destinations through the lens of wine tourism, this edition features an exhaustive list of the best vineyards to discover on the Mediterranean Islands.