2023 Cantinal Rallo Il Principe, Nero d'Avola Sicily

Certified organic, the Vesco family make fragrant wines that are among the finest in western Sicily, including crisp Catarrattos and fresh, perfumed Nero d’Avolas from their hillside vineyards. Alcamo for Catarratto and Nero d’Avola; Marsala for Grillo; and Pantelleria for the Zibbibo that makes their delicious Passito di Pantelleria. The grapes tend to be picked relatively early in the season, resulting in a customary bright, fresh style of wine. Gentle pressing in a pneumatic press followed by overnight cold maceration in order to extract all the aromatics from the grapes. Fermented at 18C in stainless steel, temperature controlled tanks. A small proportion of the wine (10%) is whole bunch fermented adding bright, fresh red fruit flavours to the finished wine. 5% of the wine was matured in barrel for 6 months.

Tasting Note: Cherries, blackcurrant and ripe red fruits, round and persistent.

Food match: Pair with roast veal and pan fried pork dishes.