Nero d'Avola

Also known as Calabrese.

Nero d'Avola is the most important dark-skinned wine grape of Sicily, named for the town of Avola in the province of Siracusa, though it is also widely known by the synonym Calabrese. Once destined mostly for blending and bulk wine shipped north to add colour and body, it has become the flagship red variety of modern quality Sicilian wine, grown across the island and anchoring denominations from Cerasuolo di Vittoria to Noto.

It produces deeply coloured, full-bodied reds with ripe black-fruit flavour, moderate to firm tannins, and good acidity that keeps the warm-climate wines fresh. Typical aromas run to black cherry, plum, blackberry, and spicy, sometimes chocolatey notes. It ranges from soft, fruity everyday wines to structured, age-worthy bottlings, and is a classic partner to Frappato in the Cerasuolo di Vittoria blend.