LORLANDO Riserva Nero d'Avola Sicilia DOC 2016

"Lorlando" Riserva Nero d'Avola Sicilia DOC 2016 / Assuli / Sicily

Red wine from Italy

The Assuli winery is located in the tranquil town of Mazara del Vallo between the cities of Marsala and Agrigento in western Sicily. Over time, a beautiful company site has developed here, which emerged from a half-timbered complex from the 18th century. Surrounded by rolling hills, modern functionality is combined with a strong connection to the territory. Founded in 1948 by Giacomo Caruso, the winery is now managed by his son Roberto. With energy and determination, the family business tries to promote the principle of identity of the area of origin by increasing the production of Sicilian vines to protect the great aromatic heritage that makes this island so unique.

The red Nero d'Avola is a high-quality autochthonous grape variety of Sicilian origin, which is now widespread throughout southern Italy. Because of her excellent qualities, she is also called "Principe Siciliano" (Sicilian prince). The city of Avola is located between Syracuse and Noto. This variety is one of the traditional grape varieties of Sicily and is also known under the name "Calabrese", which may indicate the origin of the grape.

The climate in Mazara del Vallo in western Sicily, with its mild winters and breezy summers, is ideal for viticulture. The Nero d'Avola grapes thrive here on medium-structured soil with a pebbly skeleton and good mineral content at an average altitude of 100 to 150m above sea level. At Assuli, Nero d'Avola is grown in the spur cordon with medium to high plant density.

The manual harvest takes place from mid to late September, with variable procedures depending on the vintage and the degree of ripeness of the grapes. Upon arrival at the winery, the grapes are carefully separated from the stems and gently crushed. The traditional fermentation that follows immediately usually lasts a month. The noble ingredients of the wine are then extracted by traditional pumping over. The final vinification takes place at a controlled fermentation temperature of 26 to 28°C. The Lorlando Riserva Nero d'Avola Sicilia DOC gets its perfection through a maturing process that begins with 12 months of storage in French oak barriques and ends with a further refinement of ten to twelve months in the bottle.

Poured into the glass, the "Lorlando" Riserva Nero d'Avola Sicilia DOC from the Assuli winery offers a deep ruby red colour with purple nuances. The expansive bouquet exudes intense aromas of ripe red fruit. The taste of this excellent Sicilian is dry, full-bodied, and wonderfully balanced. The taste buds are harmoniously ensnared by soft and unobtrusive tannins and the finish is enchantingly long.

The Nero d'Avola Riserva from Assuli presents a captivating flavour profile that sets it apart distinctly from its younger counterpart. Best enjoyed at a recommended serving temperature of around 17 to 18 degrees Celsius, it unfurls its depth and complexity, making it an ideal choice for special occasions or elegant dining. This wine pairs superbly with pasta dishes adorned with hearty sauces such as Bolognese, wild game ragout, or spicy Italian sausage. It also stands as an excellent accompaniment to grilled or braised red meats like beef or venison. Its rich aromas and structured tannins meld seamlessly with the robust flavours of the meat. Originating from Sicily, where lamb dishes reign supreme, this wine complements lamb preparations exceptionally well, whether roasted, stewed, or grilled, by accentuating their delicate nuances. Selected hard cheeses like Pecorino, Parmesan, or matured Cheddar make for another excellent pairing with Nero d'Avola Riserva. The wine's structure and complexity skilfully showcase the intense flavours of the cheese. Of course, this wine can also be savoured on its own, sans accompaniments, allowing its flavours and nuances to shine in all their glory as you leisurely sip. A distinctive trait of Riserva wines is their extended aging potential, which allows them to evolve and improve over time. Wine enthusiasts can thus cellar this Nero d'Avola Riserva for many years, observing and relishing its development. This adds an extra allure for connoisseurs seeking to experience the subtle changes and enhancements that unfold over the years.

General properties

• Vintage: 2016
• Ageing: Dry
• Country: Italy
• Region: Sicily
• Volume: 0.75 litres

Detailed properties

• Producer and bottler: Assuli - Via Archi 9 - 91100 Trapani (TP) - Italia - +39 0923 547267
• Quality Designation: Denominazione di Origine Controllata (DOC)
• Grape: 100% Nero d'Avola from Mazara del Vallo (TP).
• Viticulture: The climate in Mazara del Vallo is ideal for viticulture and offers mild winters and breezy summers. The grapes grow on a medium-structured soil with a pebble skeleton and good mineral content at an average height of 100 to 150 MAMSL. The wine is grown in the spur cordon with medium to high plant density.
• Winemaking: The harvest takes place from mid to late September, depending on the vintage and ripeness of the grapes. This is followed by a gentle separation of the fruit from the stems and maceration for 25 to 30 days. Extraction by traditional pumping. The fermentation temperature is 26 to 28°C. After malolactic fermentation, 12-month aging process in French oak barrels. Bottle maturation process of another 10 to 12 months..
• Sensory characterization: Intense aromas of ripe red fruits on the nose. Dry on the palate with a good balance, excellent harmony and soft tannins.
• Colour: Intense ruby red with purple nuances.
• Alcohol content: 14.5 % Vol.
• Residual sugar: 1.6 g/l
• Acidity: 5.2 g/l
• Closure type: Natural cork.
• How to serve: Excellent with pasta dishes featuring robust sauces, red meats, especially lamb, and hard cheeses. This splendidly complex wine is perfect for solo enjoyment.
  
• Recommended serving temperature: Between 17 and 18°C.
• Allergens: Contains sulfites.
• Award: Concours Mondial de Bruxelles ed. 2021:SILVER.
• EAN (bottle): 8057741302131
• Scope of supply: 1 bottle of wine 0.75 litres.

Grape variety

NERO D'AVOLA

The Nero d'Avola is regarded as one of the most prominent and significant red wine varieties of Sicily, often bearing the title "Queen of Sicilian Vines". Though its precise origin is not definitively documented, it is generally considered an indigenous Sicilian grape variety. Its name, referring to the town of Avola in the province of Syracuse, suggests its likely regional origin. It is believed that the Nero d'Avola vine has been cultivated in Sicily for centuries. Written records of wine cultivation on the island date back to antiquity, indicating the probable significant role Nero d'Avola played in ancient Sicilian viticulture. Throughout the 20th century, Sicilian viticulture underwent various phases of modernization and quality improvement, with Nero d'Avola gaining increasing recognition for its quality and versatility in the latter decades of the 20th and early 21st centuries. Wines made from Nero d'Avola gained international acclaim, elevating the grape variety to a significant ambassador of the Sicilian wine industry. Today, Nero d'Avola is cultivated in various parts of Sicily, with certain regions like the province of Syracuse deemed particularly suitable for its cultivation. Nero d'Avola thrives in the warm, sun-drenched wine regions of Sicily. The Mediterranean climate, characterized by hot, dry summers and mild winters, provides ideal growing conditions for this grape variety. Soils can vary from sandy to clayey, contributing to the diversity of Nero d'Avola wines. The leaves of the Nero d'Avola plant are medium-sized and heart-shaped, typically dark green with slightly undulating edges, while the stems are usually greenish to reddish. The grapes are relatively large with a cylindrical shape, bearing oval berries that turn dark blue to black when ripe. The grape clusters can be densely packed and are usually loosely filled. The berries have medium size and thick, dark skins, containing juicy, dark flesh rich in colour, aroma, and sugar content, making them ideal for winemaking. Nero d'Avola is a robust grape variety well-adapted to the warm Mediterranean climate of Sicily. The plant can withstand dry conditions and is relatively resistant to diseases and pests. It thrives best in sunny locations with well-draining soils to realize its full potential. While Nero d'Avola can be used as a single varietal, it is often blended with other local or international grape varieties to enhance complexity and structure.

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