Nero d'Avola: Wine, Sicilian Style

Once relegated as a blending agent to add color and body to weaker reds, the nero d'avola (NEH-roe Dah-VOE-lah) grape has come into its own in the past few decades. Being the idigenous grape variety of the area, it is the most popular red grape in Sicily. In the past Nero d'Avola, which literally means "Avola Black", was often syrupy, with an alcohol content reaching 18%, which is considered too strong for a table wine.

However, new viticulture techniques and night harvesting (placing the grapes in cooled vats to prevent premature fermentation) have been used by some vintners to retain flavor without producing an overpowering wine. The result is often compared to Syrah.

Notable Facts:

• also known as Calabrese grape
• dark in color
• big in fruit flavors
• well suited for oak
• able to age for quite a few years, although good to drink upon release

Common Descriptors:

• cherry
• plum
• raspberry
• spice
• smoke

Known for its singular climate, Sicily is blessed with consistent growing seasons year to year. this is typified by lots of warm sunshine and very little rain. Of course vintage quality varies, but not as much as it does in Burgundy or Piedmont.

Here are some Nero d'Avola wines that we carry:

Gulfi Nerojbleo

Price: $24.99 750ml

Locations: Pembroke Pines, HollywoodCorvo

Retail: $9.99 750ml

Locations: Pembroke Pines, Coral Springs, Boca Raton, Hollywood, Plantation Lamura

Retail: $7.99 750ml

Locations: Hollywood
Villa Pozzi

Retail: $9.99 750ml

Locations: Coral Springs

Dievole Pinnochio

Retail: $10.99 750ml

Locations: Coral Springs

Abbazia Santa Anastasia Contempo

Retail: $13.99 - $16.99 750ml

Locations: Boca Raton, Coral Springs

Botter - Roccalana

Retail: $7.99 750ml

Locations: Pembroke Pines, Coral Springs, Boca Raton, Hollywood

Firriato Chiaramonte

Retail: $17.99 750ml

Locations: Coral Springs

Also:

*Bolla*

Retail: $7.99 750ml

Locations: Pembroke Pines, Coral Springs

*Casa Vino*

Retail: $7.99 750ml

Locations: Pembroke Pines, Coral Springs

*Oro*

Retail: $9.99 750ml

Locations: Boca Raton, Hollywood, Coral Springs

Extra References:

wine.com

bestofsicily.com