Nero d'Avola
(NEH-roe Dah-VOE-lah)
Sicilian Style
Sicily,
the warm island off the coast of Italy, has found its grape hero. Nero d'Avola
has long been the indigenous grape variety of the area, but was originally relegated
as a blending agent to add color and body to other wines of the region. In the
past few decades, Nero d'Avola has come into its own, bringing Sicily well-deserved
winemaking recognition.
Notable Facts
Also known as Calabrese, Nero d'Avola has become the most popular grape grown
in Sicily, making wines from 100% of the variety rather than blended. Its wines
are dark in color, big in fruit flavors, well-suited for oak and able to age
for quite a few years, although most are good drinking upon release too.
Summing it up
Successful Sites: Sicily
Common Descriptors: cherry, plum, raspberry, spice, smoke
