Cerasuolo di Vittoria

This is a bottle of Cerasuolo di Vittoria, the only DOCG wine from Sicily made from Frappato and Nero d'Avola grapes. Before its elevation to DOCG status, it was for many years the only DOC wine in Sicily too. Given the paucity of DOC names, it is small wonder that many Sicilian wines we now encounter are IGTs rather than DOC. Back to Cerasuolo di Vittoria, the reputation of wines from this locality go back to Roman times, and in the 17th century, the wines of Vittoria were also highly esteemed. In its DOC days, it used to be a 60/40 mix of Nero d'Avola and Frappato, but the proportion of Frappato can now vary between 30% and 50%. Apart from oak aging, some producers have been known to age the wine in amphorae too! (see also blog on Georgian white fermented in clay vessels)

What of this wine? A deep ruby with a sweet berry nose hinting of jam, it was sweet with berry notes on the palate. There was a good dose of acidity, supported by a sprinkling of tannins to carry all this to a nice finish.