The Black Prince of Sicily
Discover Menicucci's 2021 Nero d'Avola DOC, a red wine that embodies the warm and generous soul of Sicily. Intense, fruity, and full of character, this Nero d'Avola is the authentic expression of the island's most important native grape, capable of producing structured, elegant, and exceptionally drinkable wines.
The Story
Nero d'Avola, also known as Calabrese, is Sicily's most representative black-skinned grape. Its name comes from the town of Avola, in the province of Syracuse, where for centuries this grape has found the ideal conditions to express its full power and complexity. Today, it is grown throughout Sicily and is considered one of Italy's great native grapes, capable of competing with the finest international reds.
The Sicilia DOC designation, established in 2011, has brought further prestige and recognition to Sicilian wines, guaranteeing their origin and quality. Nero d'Avola is the signature grape of this designation, capable of producing wines ranging from young, fruity reds to complex, long-lived reserves.
Luca Menicucci, a highly experienced Tuscan winemaker, chose to vinify this Nero d'Avola, bringing his winemaking expertise to the island of sunshine. The result is a wine that combines the typical characteristics of Sicilian Nero d'Avola—power, warmth, ripe fruit—with the elegance and balance that define the Menicucci philosophy.
This 2021 Nero d'Avola DOC stands out for its intense, Mediterranean aromatic profile: notes of black cherry, ripe plum, blackberry, and forest fruits intertwine with hints of sweet spices (cinnamon, cloves), Mediterranean aromatic herbs, and a touch of licorice. On the palate, it is warm, soft, and enveloping, with velvety tannins and a substantial structure balanced by a pleasant freshness. A wine of great personality and southern character.
Production Area
Sicilia DOC, an island in the Mediterranean. The vineyards stretch across the island's hills and plains, at altitudes between 200 and 600 meters above sea level. The climate is typically Mediterranean, characterized by hot, dry summers, mild winters, abundant sunshine, and little rainfall. These conditions promote optimal grape ripening and the concentration of sugars, aromas, and polyphenols.
The soils vary—clay, limestone, volcanic—but are all rich in minerals, which give the wines structure, complexity, and that characteristic Mediterranean savoriness. Sicily's generous sunshine, sea breezes that temper the heat, and the temperature difference between day and night create the ideal conditions for Nero d'Avola, allowing it to develop intense aromas while maintaining freshness and balance.
Sicily is one of the oldest wine-growing regions in the Mediterranean, with a tradition dating back to the Phoenicians and Greeks. Today, it is one of Italy's most dynamic and innovative areas, capable of producing exceptionally high-quality wines that express the unique character of the land.
Recommended Pairings
First courses: Pasta alla Norma, pasta with sardines, baked pasta, lasagna, arancini, Sicilian timballi.
Red meats: Grilled steak, gourmet burgers, meatballs, stewed meat, braised meat, roasted beef and lamb.
Sicilian cuisine: Sicilian involtini, falsomagro, Sicilian sausage, caponata, eggplant parmigiana.
Cheeses: Medium- and long-aged cheeses such as Sicilian pecorino, Caciocavallo Ragusano, Ragusano DOP, provola.
Grilled dishes: Perfect for barbecues, ribs, sausages, grilled vegetables.
Mediterranean cuisine: Roast lamb with potatoes, cacciatore-style rabbit, grilled swordfish, sweet and sour tuna.
Pizza: Pizza rossa, sausage pizza, rustic pizza.
Serving temperature: 16–18°C
A Nero d'Avola DOC of great character and personality, perfect for those seeking a structured, warm, Mediterranean red at an affordable price. Ideal for flavorful dinners, summer barbecues, and discovering the authenticity of Sicilian winemaking.
