Nero d’ Avola

Nero d'Avola is a native Sicilian grape that takes its name from the town of Avola, in south east Sicily.

Nero d’Avola is a very popular red grape variety and it is perhaps one of the most commonly planted grapes in Sicily, normally flowering early in the season and ripening by mid-September. While initially grown mainly in the south of Sicily, the grape is now planted all over the region, thriving in hot and dry climates, though still able to grow in cooler and damper conditions. The grape is currently being grown in Australia, California, Malta, Turkey and South Africa with mix results and produces a cherry or ruby red dry wine, with a decent acidity.

Nero d’Avola not only is vinified on its own, but is also often blended with other grapes, Sicilian native and not, often with Syrah, can produce great wines when keeping the yield low. Nero d'Avola wines are suited for wood ageing.

Nero d’Avola grapes grown in and around the town of Marsala can and are used in the production of the Marsala Rubino, a fortified wine.