Nero d’Avola Sicilia DOC BIO 2022

Nero d’Avola Sicilia DOC BIO 2022 / Villa Carumè / Sicily

Red wine from Italy

The Villa Carumè, a brand under the prestigious Assuli winery, stands proudly in the tranquil town of Mazara del Vallo, nestled between the charming towns of Marsala and Agrigent in western Sicily. Over the years, this enchanting estate has evolved from a timber-framed complex dating back to the 18th century. Surrounded by gentle hills, it seamlessly blends modern functionality with a profound connection to the unique territory.

The Villa Carumè crafts its Nero d’Avola Sicilia DOC BIO from grapes cultivated according to the guidelines of organic farming. These grapes hail from vineyards in western Sicily, nestled between the picturesque towns of Mazara del Vallo and Trapani. Here, an insular-Mediterranean climate, characterized by mild winters and refreshing summers, shapes the terroir, proving almost ideal for viticulture. On clay soils, marked by a rich limestone content and a balanced blend of organic elements and nitrogen, vines trained with the spur-pruned cordon system thrive, with a medium to high planting density ensuring optimal conditions.

The Nero d'Avola, one of Sicily's most prominent and significant red wine grape varieties, is often referred to as the "Queen of Sicilian Vines." Its precise origin is not documented, but it is considered an indigenous Sicilian variety, possibly originating from the town of Avola in the province of Syracuse. The grape variety has a long history in Sicily and played a significant role in ancient viticulture. In the 20th century, viticulture in Sicily underwent modernizations and quality improvements, leading to international recognition of Nero d'Avola wines. Today, it is cultivated in various parts of Sicily, particularly in the province of Syracuse, thanks to the warm Mediterranean climate with hot summers and mild winters. The grapes of Nero d'Avola are large, oval, and range from dark blue to black in colour. They are ideal for winemaking as they are rich in colour, aroma, and sugar. The robust grape variety thrives best in sunny, well-drained soils and is often blended with other local or international varieties to increase complexity and structure.

Formularbeginn

The grape harvest commences in mid-September, with a subtle variation in timing for grape picking depending on the altitude of the vineyards. Upon arrival at the winery, the grapes are destemmed and gently pressed to preserve their precious essence. Subsequently, a gentle maceration lasting 10 to 15 days ensues, accompanied by a careful fermentation at a temperature of 26 degrees Celsius, shaping the wine's unique spectrum of aromas. Following the completion of the malolactic fermentation process, the wine matures for 3 to 4 months in stainless steel containers, where it unfolds its characteristic richness and balance. It then delicately rests in the bottle for an additional 3 to 4 months, refining its elegance and revealing its full potential. Thus, a wine is born that beautifully encapsulates the essence of the terroir and the artistry of the winemaker.

The Nero d’Avola of Villa Carumè presents itself in a deep ruby red, playing with seductive violet reflections. From the first impression, a captivating scent unfolds, caressing the senses. Intense aromas of sun-ripened blackberries, blueberries, and raspberries reveal themselves on the nose, accompanied by subtle hints of liquorice promising an enticing harmony. Once in the mouth, its dryness, fullness, and exceptional smoothness are revealed, enveloping every palate. The tannins are gentle and supple, perfectly balanced with the fruit and acidity of the wine. Its finish is a true masterpiece, enduring and impressive, arousing the desire to experience this unique wine once again.

At an optimal drinking temperature of about 17 to 18°C, this Sicilian red wine unfolds its full splendour. It accompanies pasta dishes with rich meat sauce, such as Bolognese or Ragù, remarkably well. The structured tannins of the wine harmoniously merge with the richness of the sauce. A pizza topped with spicy ingredients like salami, peppers, or olives finds an ideal companion in this Nero d'Avola, as the wine's bold flavours perfectly complement the hearty flavours of the pizza. Roasted vegetables such as eggplants, bell peppers, and zucchini experience a delightful enhancement with a Nero d'Avola. The wine's rich aromas intensify the roasted notes of the vegetables in an exquisite manner. The robust tannins of the Nero d'Avola pair excellently with grilled meats such as steak, lamb chops, or game, enhancing the hearty and spicy flavours of the barbecue. Moreover, the bold Nero d'Avola DOC BIO from Villa Carumè also pairs superbly with grilled fish, especially with firm-fleshed varieties like tuna or swordfish. Hard cheeses like Pecorino or Parmesan harmonise with this wine, as the cheese's salty note complements the fruitiness and tannins of the wine beautifully.

General properties

• Vintage: 2022
• Ageing: Dry
• Country: Italy
• Region: Sicily
• Volume: 0.75 litres

Detailed properties

• Producer and bottler: Villa Carumè – Contrada Carcitella - 91026 Mazara del Vallo (TP) - Italia - +39 0923 547267
• Quality Designation: Denominazione di Origine Controllata (DOC)
• Grape variety: 100% Nero d‘Avola.
  
• Cultivation zone: Mazara del Vallo in the province of Trapani.
• Composition of soils: Skeletal and siliceous soils with very high minerality.
• Vine training system: Cordon training.
• Winemaking: Destemming and gentle pressing of the grapes followed by a maceration of 10-15 days at a fermentation temperature of 26°C. After completing malolactic fermentation, the wine is aged for 3-4 months in stainless steel containers and a further 3-4 months in the bottle.
  
• Sensory characterization: On the nose, it emanates intense aromas of blackberries, blueberries, and raspberries, accompanied by subtle hints of licorice. In taste, it is dry, full, soft, and well-balanced. Gentle and supple tannins with an impressive finish.
  
• Colour: Intense ruby red with violet reflections.
  
• Alcohol content: 13.5 % Vol.
• Residual sugar: 1,4 g/l
• Total acidity: 5.2 g/l
• Closure type: Natural cork.
• How to serve: It pairs well with various typical Sicilian dishes such as Pasta al forno, Caponata (Sicilian Ratatouille), and Melanzane alla Parmigiana. Additionally, it complements pasta with meat sauces, pizza with hearty toppings, grilled meat and fish, roasted vegetables, and strong hard cheeses.
  
• Recommended serving temperature: Between 17 and 18°C
• Allergens: Contains sulfites.
• Organic Control Station: IT-BIO-004
• EAN (bottle): 8057741302100
• 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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