Rich, Red And Ready To Enjoy
As our Canadian winter lingers on, we tend to consume heartier comfort foods. And our wine consumption also points to fuller-bodied, richer red wines. Chock full of sunshine and taste, this wine hails from Italy’s huge, a continent in itself, Mediterranean island of Sicily. The Cusumano family is one of Sicily’s most respected benchmark producers. With more than 500 hectares planted to the vine, they put Sicilian winemaking on the map by crafting wines that reflect local viticultural traditions but also have wide international appeal. Nero d’Avola is the island’s classic, quintessential red. Translated as the “black grape of Avola,” it thrives in Sicily’s hot, arid climate. Robust and rustic, we are met with a range of dark fruit notes, spices and coffee in the bouquet. On the palate, it’s dry with flavours of cocoa, plum and cherry. Nicely balanced, it finishes with smooth tannins and beckons to be paired with a variety of rich, meaty, stick-to-your-ribs dishes such as beef stew. If you are vegetarian, there are lots of “faux stew” recipes available, made with protein rich black lentils and shitake mushrooms.