NEROLUCE Sicilia Spumante Brut DOC

"Neroluce" Sicilia Spumante Brut DOC / Principi di Butera / Sicily

Sparkling wine from Italy

In the deepest and most venerable corner of Sicily lies an oasis of rare beauty, home to Sicily’s great indigenous grape varieties and the preferred growing area for Nero d'Avola. The estate is centred around an old Baglio, once belonging to the Princes of Butera, located in one of the island's most mineral-rich areas, just a stone's throw from the Mediterranean coasts, between the Valley of the Temples and Piazza Armerina. The diversity and biological richness of the soils, coupled with a unique microclimate benefiting from sea breezes, make these ancient lands ideal for sustainable viticulture and a unique haven of biodiversity. Amidst the vibrant colours of citrus fruits and the scents of Mediterranean scrub, elegant wines with refined aromas, great intensity, and freshness are born.

The scents of Nero d’Avola, the light of the sun, the freshness of the Mediterranean – all combined in the Charmat method, marking a new milestone in high-quality Sicilian sparkling wine production. Neroluce is a sparkling wine that unveils an undiscovered facet of the island's noblest grape variety and confirms the excellence of Nero d’Avola from Butera.

Nero d'Avola, often referred to as the "Queen of Sicilian Grapes," is one of Sicily's most important red wine varieties. It likely originates from the region around the town of Avola in the province of Syracuse and has been cultivated on the island for centuries. It thrives particularly well in Sicily's warm, sun-drenched wine-growing areas, characterized by a Mediterranean climate with hot, dry summers and mild winters. These robust vines prefer sunny locations with well-drained soils and can withstand dry conditions well. The grapes are large, cylindrical in shape, and turn a dark blue to black when ripe. These grapes have thick skins and juicy, dark flesh, making them ideal for winemaking.

Initially, the Nero d'Avola grapes are carefully selected and harvested late, once they have reached their optimal ripeness. This ensures they possess the perfect balance of sugar and acidity essential for sparkling wine production. The grapes are then gently pressed to obtain a clear must, without heavily crushing the skins. This must undergo the first fermentation in stainless steel tanks. During this fermentation, the natural sugars in the grapes convert into alcohol and carbon dioxide, imparting the base wine with its fresh and fruity foundation. To produce the sparkling wine, the base wine undergoes a second fermentation, typically in stainless steel pressure tanks – a process known as the Charmat method. In these pressure tanks, sugar and yeast are added to the base wine, initiating the second fermentation. During this secondary fermentation, carbon dioxide is produced, which dissolves in the wine, giving it its sparkling texture. Upon completion of the second fermentation, the sparkling wine is carefully filtered to remove the yeasts and then bottled. The wine often remains on the lees for several more months, adding depth and complexity.

The "Neroluce" Sicilia Spumante Brut DOC captivates with its straw-yellow colour, interlaced with subtle greenish to platinum hues. Its fine and persistent mousse adds an elegant presence to the glass. The nose reveals a delicate bouquet of cherry, hawthorn, elderflower, and jasmine, creating a harmonious blend that enchants the senses. On the palate, the wine is dry and harmonious, with a fine, persistent, and creamy texture that offers a long and enjoyable finish. A truly elegant and seductive wine, making each sip a delightful experience.

At a recommended serving temperature of 6 to 8 degrees Celsius, the "Neroluce" Sicilia Spumante Brut DOC from Principi di Butera is an excellent aperitif and pairs perfectly with light appetizers. Highly recommended are antipasti with raw fish such as carpaccio or sushi, as well as seafood or vegetable risottos, which wonderfully complement its fruity and floral aromas. This outstanding Nero d'Avola Spumante also excels with grilled fish, light meat dishes, or poultry. Its fresh and mineral note perfectly complements the delicate flavours of fish and poultry without overpowering them. This sparkling wine also pairs well with a cheese platter featuring mild, aged cheeses. It creates a wonderful contrast to the creamy textures and enhances the cheese's flavours. Adventurous connoisseurs can also enjoy Neroluce with fruity desserts. A fresh fruit salad or a lemon tart harmonizes excellently with the sparkling wine's light acidity and fruity notes. Finally, a Nero d'Avola sparkling wine is ideal for festive occasions and social gatherings. It brings a sparkling freshness to the glass and makes every moment a special experience.

General properties

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

Detailed properties

• Producer and bottler: Principi di Butera - Contrada Deliella - 93011 Butera (CL) - Italia - +39 0934 347726
• Quality Designation: Denominazione di Origine Controllata (DOC) Nero d’Avola Sicilia.
• Grape variety: 100% Nero d’Avola.
• Winemaking and aging: The Nero d’Avola, cultivated on deep, dark clay soils at an altitude of 300 meters above sea level, is harvested at a sugar and acidity level that is ideal for producing a fresh and mineral sparkling wine base. A gentle pressing follows, allowing the production of white wine from red grapes without the need for further interventions. After an aging period on the lees of about 3 to 4 months, the base wine undergoes the sparkling wine production process in a pressure tank (Charmat method), where it remains for another 3 months before being bottled.
  
• Sensory characteristics: Delicate notes of cherry, hawthorn, elderberry and jasmine on the nose. Dry, harmonious, fine, persistent and creamy on the palate.
  
• Colour: Straw yellow with light reflections ranging from greenish to platinum tones. A fine and persistent mousseux.
  
• Alcohol content: 12.0 % Vol.
• Closure type: Sparkling wine cork.
  
• How to serve: A pleasant aperitif that goes well with raw fish starters, seafood risottos or vegetable risottos and grilled fish.
  
• Recommended serving temperature: Between 6 and 8°C.
• Ingredients: Grapes, concentrated grape must; Preservative: Potassium metabisulfite; Stabilizer: Contains carboxymethylcellulose. Bottled under protective atmosphere.
• Allergens: Contains sulfites.
• Warning: Consumption of alcoholic beverages during pregnancy, even in small quantities, can have serious consequences for the child's health.
• EAN (bottle): 8002235030397
• Scope of supply: 1 bottle of sparkling 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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Bulk discount:

• 3 x NEROLUCE Sicilia Spumante Brut DOC
• 6 x NEROLUCE Sicilia Spumante Brut DOC