Nero d'Avola Wine - South, Sun and Sicily

Nero d'Avola Wine - South, Sun, and Sicily

Once a blending wine, today a high-quality and award-winning top wine - Nero d’Avola is considered Sicily's most successful export, alongside almonds, olive oil, and the sweet Marsala dessert wine. Come along on the journey and discover ancient cities, Sicilian princes, and the Black from Avola.

Black yet Colorful - Nero d’Avola Red Wine

Nero d’Avola wine is by far the most widely cultivated grape variety in Sicily. It impresses with its strong fruit, smooth structure, and deep red color. Due to these facets, Nero d’Avola served for a long time as a blending wine and even made its way to France. With the Sicilian grape, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz, and locally Frappato found a color-intensive and fruit-forward partner. Only around 1990 did Sicilian winemakers create a trend with a new understanding and varietal Nero d’Avola red wines. The red wine from the black and concentrated grapes is now in international demand and has already won several awards. Naturally, winemakers have since focused on cultivating Nero d’Avola, also known by the names Calabrese or principe Siciliano. The latter indicates the high status of the red grape variety, as the variety is locally referred to as the Sicilian Prince, namely principe Siciliano. 

The Character of Sicily in a Bottle 

A Nero d’Avola is a complex red wine, round and soft, which primarily makes an impression with its ruby red and dark color. Additionally, it is the good structure and lively fruit that explain the popularity of this Italian grape variety. The palate is caressed by fruity notes, such as blackberry, cherry, and plum, accompanied by hints of jam, licorice, and even leather. Ideally, chocolate and Mediterranean spice can also be discovered in the full body. Fruity, the Nero d’Avola is undoubtedly so, especially when the red wine was fermented in stainless steel tanks. In contrast, the wood aging develops the wine more robustly - in both cases, popular, and in some instances awarded.

Nero d’Avola Terre Siciliane - Wine Diversity from Sicily

Cuvée Nero d’Avola - with Merlot and Syrah 

Nero d’Avola was generally regarded as a blending wine for a long time. And even today, the red wine has not lost any potential for cuvées. The dense structure and ruby red color complement the character of Merlot or Syrah. For instance, the Nero d’Avola Merlot IGT 2017 from the Vaccaro winery presents itself with strong fruit and a velvety body - a perfect combination of the strengths of Nero d’Avola and Merlot. Equally popular is the composition of Nero d’Avola and Syrah. Balanced and spirited, the cuvée delights with Italian cuisine - especially matured cheese varieties - or simply for enjoyment.

Nero d’Avola Rosé

The multifaceted small and dark grapes are also often the first choice for the vinification of rosé wines in Sicily. They impart a playful lightness to the rosé, enriching sunny days and fun evenings with fully ripe and lively fruit. Besides refreshing minerality and the characteristic notes of raspberry and blackberry, it is the carefree taste that makes the Nero d’Avola rosé wines a sun-kissed taste experience. 

Marsala - Sweetness from Sicily

The well-known little town of Marsala, located on the Sicilian shores, also utilizes the Nero d’Avola grape variety to bring more structure and an inviting color to the dessert wine Marsala.

Origin of Nero d’Avola Wine 

The center of Nero d’Avola is naturally Avola, the Sicilian town in the southern province of Syracuse. Wine has been grown here since antiquity, not least thanks to the Greek colonists who cultivated grapevines brought from Syracuse to Taormina. Almost all over Sicily, vineyards are planted with Nero d’Avola. Only around Mount Etna is the grape variety not grown. Noto and Pachino are other renowned growing regions, from which some of the best Nero d’Avola red wines originate. The sunny and dry weather, as well as the nutrient-rich and gravelly clay volcanic soil of Sicily, are simply predestined for the traditional grape variety. The rocky subsoil also provides warmth to the low-growing vines at night until the full ripeness culminates in hand harvesting in September. 

Famous Wineries of Sicily

In the wine diversity compiled by our sommeliers, you will discover some of the most famous and internationally renowned wineries in Sicily.

• Barone Montalto
• Cantine Minini
• Paolini
• Cusumano
• Duca di Salaparuta
• Feudo Arancio
• Firriato
• Planeta
• Sallier de la Tour
• Tasca d’Almerita

Calabrese and Nero d’Avola - Etymology and Origin 

The name Nero d’Avola developed due to its dark body, which translates to "Black from Avola." The second name - Calabrese - suggests an origin from Calabria, although other derivations are likely. The first mention of the grape variety took place in 1696 by the botanist Francesco Cupani under the name Calavrisi, a dialect for Calabrese. This name could refer to Calaulisi, which can in turn be derived from Caia Avola - the grape from Avola.

Another theory suggests that merchants marketed the Nero d’Avola wine from Sicily as Calabrese because Calabria produced far more popular wine at the time. Similar has happened to Sangiovese or Canaiolo Nero, under which synonyms like Calabrese can also be found. Other synonyms for Nero d’Avola include Calabrese d’Avola, Calabrese Dolce, Niureddu Calavrisi, and Calabrese di Vittoria.

Wherever the name comes from - the main thing is that Nero d’Avola comes from Sicily. Although Australia, the USA, and Malta also cultivate some grapevines.

High Quality with DOC Status

The Sicilian Nero d’Avola is generally considered a very high-quality red wine. Nevertheless, the wines develop in various ways according to the local terroir, so that some appellations have been crowned with DOC (Denominazione di origine controllata) and IGT (Indicazione Geografica Tipica) or IGP (Indicazione Geografica Protetta) status. In particular, the Nero d’Avola red wines from the picturesque Baroque town of Noto possess not only DOC status but also international renown. Additionally, numerous Nero d’Avola red wines are also produced as IGT - today rather IGP. Generally reserved for country wines, IGT red wines have already earned themselves several awards, such as the Gold Medal at the "International Wine & Spirit Competition." Consistently high quality, excellent growing conditions, and superb work in the cellar - the Nero d’Avola wine is an outstanding Italian red wine that knows only one way in the future: from the glass to the palate.

The Wine Growing Areas for Nero d’Avola and Wine from Sicily

While the center for Nero d’Avola wine is located in the south of the island, the grape variety is cultivated all over the island. However, Sicily also has much more to offer, such as the dessert wine Marsala or refreshing wines from Mount Etna. Depending on the growing area, different facets of terroir arise, which prefer specific grape varieties. 

DOC Growing Areas of Sicily

Marsala

Around the port city of Marsala, nestled in the west of the island, lies the Marsala DOC, which is primarily known for the famous dessert wine. Accordingly, almost exclusively grape varieties approved for Marsala are cultivated according to DOC regulations, including Nero d’Avola alongside other white and red varieties.

Menfi

With the DOC Menfi, the provinces of Agrigent and Trapani have a high-quality growing area that produces both white and red wines of the highest quality. Of course, only selected grape varieties may be used for the wines from DOC Menfi. Chardonnay, Grecanico, Sangiovese, and of course Nero d’Avola.

Alcamo

Also located in the west of the island is Alcamo, a DOC appellation near the city of Palermo. The Sicilian growing area has a lot to offer, from blending wines to varietal wines. Among them are Alcamo Rosso and Alcamo Rosato. For the former, at least 60% Nero d’Avola is required, and the Rosato also likes to use the dark grapes.

Faro

At the northeastern tip of Sicily lies the DOC growing area Faro, with the city of Messina as its center. Here, excellent wines with unique character are produced. The Nero d’Avola grape variety is only found in small quantities here, with the main focus instead on the varieties Nerello Mascalese and Nerello Cappuccio. The high altitude and cool nighttime temperatures ensure unparalleled freshness.

Cerasuolo di Vittoria

The Cerasuolo di Vittoria DOCG wine, from the eponymous growing area, has its own list of regulations clearly describing grape varieties and harvest. An amount between 50 and 70% of Nero d’Avola is needed, complemented by Frappato. The grapes for this grow from Ragusa to Catania in the south of the island. 

Eloro

Not far from Cerasuolo di Vittoria are the vineyards of the Eloro growing area, particularly known for rosé and red wines. Thus, between Syracuse and Ragusa, with the town of Noto in between, Pignatello, Frappato, and Nero d’Avola make up most of the almost varietal wines according to DOC regulations.

Etna 

At the foot of the mighty Etna, the vines grow on mineral-rich volcanic soil. Particularly, white grape varieties flourish under these conditions, especially the varieties Carricante, Catarratto Bianco, and Trebbiano. In terms of red wine, the most important variety is Nerello Mascalese, which must make up 80% of the wine for DOC wines from Etna.

Malvasia delle Lipari

The Aeolian Islands north of Sicily are famous for the sweet white wine Malvasia, made from Malvasia di Sardegna and Korinthiaki. Thus, the DOC Malvasia delle Lipari holds a unique position, as hardly any of the typically Sicilian grape varieties are cultivated. 

Pantelleria

Similar applies to the island of Pantelleria, as under the Pantelleria DOC, mostly liqueurs, sparkling wines, and semi-sparkling wines are produced. Particularly, the Moscato di Pantelleria enjoys high prestige on the island and beyond. The main variety of this small Mediterranean island is Muscat d’Alexandrie, which resonates in almost all wines from Pantelleria.

Interesting Facts about Nero d’Avola Red Wine 

What is Nero d’Avola?

Nero d’Avola is a traditional and high-quality grape variety, almost exclusively native to the island of Sicily. Today, more than 20,000 hectares of vineyard areas are planted with the noble wine grape. Once considered a blending wine, since the 1990s the red wine enjoys international fame. Nero d’Avola is usually produced as a red wine but is increasingly gaining supporters as a rosé wine. 

Other names for Nero d’Avola include: 

• Calabrese 
• Principe Siciliano 
• Calabrese Dolce 
• Calabrese di Vittoria
• Niureddu Calavrisi

How long can Nero d’Avola Red Wine be stored?

Nero d’Avola red wines have good storage potential. It is advisable to drink the wine within the first 5 to 7 years, although some robustly produced wines can last up to 10 years. To ensure that the Nero d’Avola wine remains enjoyable even after this time, it should be stored in a cool, dark, and dry place. 

How long does an opened bottle of Nero d’Avola wine last?

An opened bottle of Nero d’Avola should be consumed within the first two days after opening. Otherwise, the fill level of the bottle determines how long the wine retains its character. If the bottle is still well filled, the wine can last up to 7 days in the refrigerator and tightly sealed. A lower fill level means fewer days - thus, a half-bottle lasts about 3 days. Using a bottle stopper can further extend the shelf life of an opened bottle.

Food Recommendations for Nero d’Avola

Nero d’Avola pairs well with almost the entire Italian cuisine. Whether pizza, polenta, or grilled dishes - the strong fruit complements many dishes with flair and flavor. A Nero d’Avola from the steel tank is also recommended for roasted venison with potato gratin or Salsiccia.

What is the ideal drinking temperature for Nero d’Avola wines?

The drinking temperature for Nero d’Avola red wines is about 16°C to 18°C. 

Buy Nero d’Avola Wine, Enjoy the South

The best Nero d’Avola red wines, varietal, as cuvées or rosés, can be found affordably on VINELLO. Our sommeliers have compiled a select range of Sicilian wines from the traditional grape variety Nero d’Avola for you, which you can conveniently order on account from the first order. In addition, we offer you a variety of payment options so you can order your favorites according to your wishes. Once your shopping cart is filled, your wines will soon be on their secure, climate-neutral, and for an order value of 120€, even shipping-free delivery route. If you have questions, requests, or need information about the wide world of wine, our knowledgeable staff is available at 0049 351 469 256 55 or via [email protected].

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