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- New User/Stateside opinions about Nero D'Avola?
Just wanted to introduce myself and ask a question to the masses back in the States from Sicily.
My name is Alex and I'm stationed in Sicily for the next 2 years (have been here over a year already) and have just started drinking/collecting/studying wine, of course Italian wine mostly...
I have really grown to love Brunello and some of the Supertuscan blends but have access to all sorts of Italian wine and am currently amassing a collection of around 200 bottles that will be shipped back with my personal goods when I leave Sicily.
I have a bunch of questions, but for this I just wanted to ask about the spread of Nero D'Avola to the states. This wine is the lifeblood of Sicily and they are very proud of it. Whenever I duck into a new cellar they owner pulls me over to a bottle of Princepale de Corleone or Murgo Nero's and beams a bright smile then tells me in broken English "that is best grape in all of Sicily".
I know that the Firriato Nero D'Avola-Syrah was on the 2008 WS Top 100 list (and subsquently is incredibly hard to find because I'm sure it's been exported like crazy) but is Nero D'Avola visible on the market in the US (Corvo does not count)?
It's not a wine for aging, really a DYA wine, but it is very fresh and fruity which matches Sicily very well. Sicily for the most part is very rural and community gatherings are very festive as is thier wine. It's youthful and simple, most of my American friends who are not familiar with wine find it very easy to drink. Saying it drinks like fruit juice would be immature but it is definately enjoyable during the afternoon riposo in the 100+ degree heat of Sicilian summer. It definately is something to celebrate and if it's hard to find in the states I will bump my numbers of bottles in my cellar up a little so I'll have something to enjoy on hot summer days back home.
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3027 - Reply by Philip, Jul 25.
Donloah - welcome to Snooth. I'm no expert on Italian wine, but have certainly tried Nero D'Avola many times.
What does DYA stand for?
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22 - Reply by wineball, Jul 25.
I feel like Nero has become quite commonplace. I have been pouring one by the glass for over 2 years (4 different producers have been represented) in South Carolina. We are finally starting to see examples that have the potential to age, eg Morgante 'Don Antonio' and Firriato 'Harmonium'. (more like Cali Cab aging potential)
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0390 - Reply by GregT, Jul 25.
It's pretty widely available but donloah has only recently been learning about wine so maybe is less familiar and it's a most excellent variety to encounter! I had one two nights ago - the inexpensive Morgante. I wish the US produced wines like that - it wasn't over the top, nicely balanced, easy to like. We buy a few bottles from almost every vintage and it's always a winner IMO. As far as aging potential, that's an interesting development and I've had a few, but I'm always interested in a wine for under $15 that is just flat-out enjoyable and Nero d'Avola is often one of those. It fits the niche that zinfandel used to fit for me, until people started making "serious" zins that go for over $50 and are slathered in wood and sport near-explosive alcohol levels.
Donloah - for some other really nice drinking, inexpensive reds, look at barbera, primitivo and unclassified nebbiolo, which may be one of the best bargains around IMO.
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- Reply by donloah, Jul 25.
Phillip: DYA- Drink youngest available
Wineball- I'm glad to see that it has made a move stateside. Like I said, it's not that I'm un familiar with Nero, just it's popularity and availability in the US. Those are both great wines, and like I mentioned Principale de Corleone is another top notch producer from the western side of the island (Palermo).
GregT- Yes, it is convenient to always be able to go out and find a nice bottle for 15$ and under. Rallo makes a great Nero for around 10$ that I always keep on ready to drink. Better then the Morgante IMO.
I'm looking more for a collection potential because shipping and handling of up to 300 bottles is free for me (taxes/tariff not included). I'm not going to be cellaring any Nero if it's readily available in the states, which it sounds like it is. I have a few cases of Barbera and some Nebbiolo and Borolo but am focusing on Brunello unless something exculsive and tempting comes along (like vintage Ornelaia or vintage Antinori).
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0390 - Reply by GregT, Jul 25.
You're in luck then. The 2006 Brunellos that I've had are really good and they're coming into the market so happy hunting!
