Now that summer is over, and it’s cool enough to accept shipped wines for review, the first two bottles I received were super welcome. I would be able to taste a Sicilian wine grape I can’t get enough of from six years ago to six months ago: Nero d’Avola. I also had an opportunity to learn about the Nerello Mascalese grape and others used in Italian red blends.
From the Distributor
As autumn settles in and routines return, a quiet craving for adventure begins to stir. Tap into that feeling and explore with outside-the-box Sicilia DOC wines that reflect the island’s diverse terroir and deep-rooted winemaking traditions, while also making for exciting pairings during cooler months.
(Let’s) introduce non-traditional Sicilia DOC expressions that will invite (wine lovers) to explore beyond the island’s classic varieties and typical single-varietal bottlings:
- Nerello Mascalese From Beyond Etna’s Slopes – Known as Sicily’s noble red, this grape typically thrives on the island’s volcanic soils. However, some Sicilia DOC producers grow this grape off the volcano’s slopes, giving a new character to the now-famous expressions from Etna. Typically presenting bright red fruit notes, florality and a backbone of minerality, off-volcano Nerello Mascalese delivers the same notes, but with a juicier profile. Overall, its balance of freshness and complexity makes it a versatile companion to autumn meals, from roasted vegetables to heartier pastas.
- International Blends: Nero d’Avola with Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, and More: A marriage of Sicily’s signature indigenous variety with international favorites. Nero d’Avola brings dark fruit, spice, and richness, while Syrah adds plush texture and savory depth, and Cabernet Sauvignon is a natural companion to Nero d’Avola’s spiciness, while providing blends with longer finishes. These blends offer bold, yet approachable reds — the kinds that feel tailor-made for crisp evenings, cozy dinners, and seasonal comfort foods.
These *wines embody the character and display the uniqueness of Sicily’s vineyards, showcasing the island’s versatility and its ability to make a wide range of interesting wines.
The Wines
NeroOro Rosso Riserva Sicilia DOC 2019
“A selection of the finest Nero d’Avola grapes, with a small portion of Frappato and Syrah.” Past awards include 90 points from James Suckling and a Gold from China Wine and Spirits Awards.
EB: The wine had a beautiful color of crushed blackberry that invited me in, aromas reminded me of an abundance of sweet red to blue fruit, white pepper, green peppercorns, mildly toasted oak, rich earth, milk and dark chocolate; the flavor was a perfect balance of fruit, spice and tannins. I noted right away that this was not a wine I had to have a meal with, which is what I find often with Italian red wines. I lingered over fresh blueberry and blackberry, with a lovely spice that gave it a tingly quality, and tannins lingering in for a medium length finish. If I were to pair this I can’t imagine it not doing perfectly fine with cheese and charcuterie – bring on the Mortadella and sharp Provolone please – as well as meat lover pizzas, a Bolognese and a fine steak. 98 Eve points.
Planeta La Segreta ‘Rosso’ Sicilia DOC 2021
This Nero d’Avola blend is 50% Nero d’Avola, 25% Merlot, 20% Syrah and 5% Cabernet Franco. The first vintage of this wine was 30 years ago, in 1995. Past vintages have been awarded 91 points by both James Suckling and Wine Enthusiast magazine.
EB: Similar in color to the NeroOro, but more garnet and opaque. The nose opened up with sweet crushed cherry, blackberry, figs, fall leaves, with a slight hint of moss, eucalyptus and tree bark. The taste was also very well balanced like the NeroOro; with good fruits, spice, and sturdy tannins allowing for a very long finish. I felt that this wine, maybe because it was a little younger, had a lighter taste and brighter red fruits. I would love this with a Marinara sauce and pasta, Margarita pizza, as well as cheese and charcuterie. 90 Eve pts.
Links: NeroOro Rosso Riserva Sicilia DOC 2019 and Planeta La Segreta ‘Rosso’ Sicilia DOC 2021
Eve Bushman has a Level Two Intermediate Certification from the Wine and Spirits Education Trust (WSET), a “certification in the first globally-recognized course” as an American Wine Specialist ® from the North American Sommelier Association (NASA), Level 1 Sake Award from WSET, was the subject of a 60-minute Wine Immersion video (over 16k views), authored “Wine Etiquette for Everyone” and has served as a judge for the Proof Awards, Cellarmasters, LA Wine Competition, Long Beach Grand Cru and the Global Wine Awards. You can email Eve@EveWine101.com to ask a question about wine or spirits.
