Nero d'Avola | Grape variety

Sicily is booming - thanks in part to its flagship wine, the Nero d'Avola: this indigenous red grape variety produces one of the most popular wines in Italy. The Sicilian red wine combines luscious berry fruit with a strong structure and excellent drinkability. For a long time, Nero d'Avola was in demand as a blended wine for international cuvees, but only recently have Italian winegrowers begun to show respect for this original grape variety and produce it as a single varietal. Quality-conscious wine producers on the island value the grape for its fullness and longevity; it is also well suited for barrel ageing. - Gerardo [TS03/24]

"The Nero d'Avola has had a remarkable career in the last 20 years or so, which can be associated primarily with the rapid rise of the wines of Sicily. It is named after the small town of Avola in the province of Siracus, from where the variety probably originated. It was first mentioned in 1696, but in the 18th and 19th centuries it was still called Calavrisi, as it was believed to have originated in Calabria. The origin of this name is now believed to be Calausi, which means Caia Avola, which brings us back to the town of Avola." - Falstaff

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