Nero d’Avola isn’t one of those grapes that you hear people talking about a lot. Certainly it isn’t discussed the way people do Cabernet Sauvignon, Sangiovese or Pinot Noir to name a few. And I suppose there are numerous reasons for that. That said this southern Italian grape should get a bit more attention than it does. The wines it produces are often good values that work well with everyday foods. Today I’ll look at one from the 2009 vintage.
The Vino dei Fratelli 2009 Nero d’Avola was produced using fruit sourced in Sicily. This wine is 100% varietal. 5,000 cases of this offering were produced and it has a suggested retail price of $15.99.
Aromas of plum and black mission fig are prominent on the nose of this 2009 Nero d’Avola. Dried red and black fruit flavors dominate the palate. Earth and spice both emerge on the finish. This wine shows supple tannins and firm acidity. This selection is a natural partner for cheeses, salamis and the like.
This wine is a nice everyday value and it really represents exactly what Nero d’Avola is about in my opinion. It has rock solid acidty and pairs well with many of the foods that people eat regularly; and for less than $16 you can keep it around to enjoy often.