Cilda – My favorite place to buy wine in Catania

There are a lot of options when it comes to buying wine in Sicily.  Especially for those with access to Sigonella.  For a while I bought my wine at the NEX because I figured it was the best price and it was already in dollars.  My local friend Mario showed me a new option that is cheaper and has a better selection.  Its called Cilda (or C.I.L.D.A) and its on the outskirts of downtown Catania.  Turns out that this place has been in business since the 30s and is known by most Cantanese (or is it Catanianians..not sure on that one 😎

An example of the cost difference is with a typical Planeta Rosso, which goes for $8.99 at the Nex.  At Cilda its €6.10.  With conversion right now of $1.30/€1 thats about $7.95.  Now your going to say “Nick why are you wasting my time for $1?”  Let me add this to the equation.  Cilda also will take VAT taxes off for an American buying a decent quantity of wine.  You have to get some paperwork in order with them for this, but that is an additional 21% off the price of €6.10, which results in $6.28 per bottle for you non math wizards.  So $6.28 vs $8.99 at the NEX (or $8.10 after 10% discount NEX offers for 6+ bottles).

So saving up to $2.71 per bottle (or 30% off NEX prices) is something to consider.  Especially if you are trying to build a collection to take back home.  I know someone that went to Cilda and bought 450 bottles just before he moved back.  Another plus of this is that it is all packaged properly still and you have a receipt/listing of all the wines included for the import forms.

Open from Monday to Saturday from 8.30 to 13.30 and from 15.30 to 20. From June to September in the afternoon opens at 16.30. Closed on Sundays.

 

Cilda (S.R.L.)

Viale Jonio, 37, Catania, Italy ‎ +39 095 383610

Here is an article I found about them:  http://www.italiaatavola.net/articolo.aspx?id=25020