Tag Archives: Avola

2009
Sicily, Italy

From the Tuscan hillside to the tip of Sicily, my journey through BevMo’s Italian varietals continues. And what this modestly priced offering lacks in elegance it makes up for in liveliness.

Nero d’Avola (“Avola Black”) is indigenous to Sicily, named for the Avola region in the far south from which it hails. The varietal has traditionally been used in blends to add color (it’s a beautiful, dark, purply red) and body, but it’s starting to come into its own. Fratelli’s definitely displays the peppery/spicy notes for which the grape is known, but those are anchored by rich, plummy tannins and an oaky finish: a nicely structured combo of fruit, spice and earth. It’s fun to drink: a perfect party wine, or switch it out for beer the next time you’re ordering pizza.

I didn’t love it at first sip, I’ll admit, and it was dry as a bone to my palate. A few hours of breathing, however, really let the sweetness come through and brought the fruit front and center. At $10 on sale it’s a good value, especially for everyday drinking. But at the regular retail price of $15? Eh, you could do better.

Part of BevMo!’s 33% off sale–get it while the $10 price tag lasts!