The Black Prince of Sicily
Discover Menicucci's Nero d'Avola DOC 2022, a red wine that embodies the warm and generous soul of Sicily. Intense, fruity, and full of character, this Nero d'Avola represents the authentic expression of the island's most important native grape variety, capable of yielding wines of structure, elegance, and extraordinary drinkability.
The History
Nero d'Avola, also known as Calabrese, is the most representative black grape variety in Sicily. Its name comes from the town of Avola, in the province of Siracusa, where this grape variety has found ideal conditions for centuries to express all its power and complexity. Today it is cultivated throughout Sicily and is considered one of Italy's great native grape varieties, capable of competing with the best international reds.
The DOC Sicilia designation, established in 2011, has given further prestige and recognition to Sicilian wines, guaranteeing origin and quality. Nero d'Avola is the symbolic grape of this designation, capable of producing wines ranging from young and fruity reds to complex and long-lived reserves.
Luca Menicucci, an experienced Tuscan producer, chose to vinify this Nero d'Avola, bringing his oenological sensibility to the island of the sun. 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 distinguish the Menicucci philosophy.
This Nero d'Avola DOC 2022 stands out for its intense and Mediterranean aromatic profile: notes of black cherry, ripe plum, blackberry, and wild berries 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 significant structure balanced by pleasant freshness. A wine of great personality and southern character.
Production Area
Sicily DOC, an island in the Mediterranean. The vineyards extend over hills and plains of the island, at an altitude between 200 and 600 meters above sea level. The climate is typically Mediterranean, characterized by hot, dry summers, mild winters, abundant sunshine, and scarce rainfall. These conditions favor optimal grape ripening and the concentration of sugars, aromas, and polyphenols.
The soils are varied - clayey, calcareous, volcanic - but all rich in minerals, which give the wines structure, complexity, and that characteristic Mediterranean savoriness. Sicily's generous sun, the sea breezes that mitigate the heat, and the temperature range between day and night create ideal conditions for Nero d'Avola, allowing it to develop intense aromas while maintaining freshness and balance.
Sicily is one of the oldest wine 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 high-quality wines that express the unique character of the territory.
Recommended Pairings
First courses: Pasta alla Norma, pasta with sardines, baked pasta, lasagna, arancini, Sicilian timbales.
Red meats: Grilled steak, gourmet burgers, meatballs, stew, braised meats, beef and lamb roasts.
Sicilian cuisine: Sicilian involtini, falsomagro, Sicilian sausage, caponata, eggplant parmigiana.
Cheeses: Medium to long-aged cheeses such as Sicilian pecorino, caciocavallo ragusano, ragusano DOP, provola.
Grills: Perfect for barbecues, ribs, sausages, grilled vegetables.
Mediterranean cuisine: Baked lamb with potatoes, rabbit cacciatore, grilled swordfish, sweet and sour tuna.
Pizza: Red pizza, sausage pizza, rustic pizza.
Serving temperature: 16-18°C
A Nero d'Avola DOC of great character and personality, perfect for those looking for a structured, warm, and Mediterranean red at an affordable price. Ideal for flavorful dinners, summer barbecues, and for discovering the authenticity of viticultural Sicily.
