Nero d'Avola
Encyclopedia
Nero d'Avola is "the most important red wine grape
in Sicily
" and is one of Italy's most important indigenous varieties. It is named after Avola
in the far south of Sicily and its wines are compared to New World Shirazes, with sweet tannins and plum or peppery flavours. It also contributes to Marsala
blends.
Initially, it was confined to the southern tip of the island but more recently has spread throughout the island.
(above all Buonivini, Bufalefi and Maccari) and Pachino
in the south of the province of Siracusa are reputed for the quality of their Nero d'Avola grapes. The first American producer of Nero d'Avola is Chiarito Vineyards in Ukiah, California (Mendocino County.)
Grape
A grape is a non-climacteric fruit, specifically a berry, that grows on the perennial and deciduous woody vines of the genus Vitis. Grapes can be eaten raw or they can be used for making jam, juice, jelly, vinegar, wine, grape seed extracts, raisins, molasses and grape seed oil. Grapes are also...
in Sicily
Sicily
Sicily is a region of Italy, and is the largest island in the Mediterranean Sea. Along with the surrounding minor islands, it constitutes an autonomous region of Italy, the Regione Autonoma Siciliana Sicily has a rich and unique culture, especially with regard to the arts, music, literature,...
" and is one of Italy's most important indigenous varieties. It is named after Avola
Avola (SR)
Avola is a city and comune in the province of Syracuse, Sicily .-History:The foundation of the city in an area previously inhabited by the Sicani and invaded by the Sicels in the 13th-12th centuries BC, is perhaps connected to the city of Hybla major. Hybla was the name of a pre-Greek...
in the far south of Sicily and its wines are compared to New World Shirazes, with sweet tannins and plum or peppery flavours. It also contributes to Marsala
Marsala wine
Marsala is a wine produced in the region surrounding the Italian city of Marsala in Sicily. Marsala wine first received Denominazione di Origine Controllata status in 1969....
blends.
History
"The Black Grape of Avola" appears to have been selected by growers near Avola (a small town in south east Sicily) several hundred years ago.Initially, it was confined to the southern tip of the island but more recently has spread throughout the island.
Viticulture
The vine likes hot arid climates. The districts around NotoNoto
Noto is a city and comune in the Province of Syracuse, Sicily . Its located 32 km southwest of the city of Syracuse at the foot of the Iblean Mountains and gives its name to the surrounding valley, Val di Noto...
(above all Buonivini, Bufalefi and Maccari) and Pachino
Pachino
Pachino is a town and comune in the Province of Syracuse, Sicily . The name derives from the Phoenician word pachum which means guardia in Italian ; an alternative origin is the Greek word paxum translating into fertile...
in the south of the province of Siracusa are reputed for the quality of their Nero d'Avola grapes. The first American producer of Nero d'Avola is Chiarito Vineyards in Ukiah, California (Mendocino County.)