-
Pages
-
Categories
-
Archives
- October 2024
- September 2024
- August 2024
- July 2024
- June 2024
- March 2024
- February 2024
- November 2023
- May 2023
- January 2023
- October 2022
- July 2022
- May 2022
- February 2022
- October 2021
- September 2021
- August 2021
- July 2021
- June 2021
- May 2021
- March 2021
- February 2021
- December 2020
- November 2020
- October 2020
- September 2020
- August 2020
- July 2020
- June 2020
- May 2020
- April 2020
- March 2020
- February 2020
- January 2020
- December 2019
- November 2019
- October 2019
- September 2019
- August 2019
- July 2019
- June 2019
- May 2019
- April 2019
- March 2019
- February 2019
- January 2019
- December 2018
- November 2018
- October 2018
- September 2018
- August 2018
- July 2018
- June 2018
- May 2018
- April 2018
- March 2018
- February 2018
- January 2018
- December 2017
- November 2017
- October 2017
- September 2017
- August 2017
- July 2017
- June 2017
- May 2017
- April 2017
- March 2017
- February 2017
- January 2017
- December 2016
- November 2016
- October 2016
- September 2016
- August 2016
- July 2016
- June 2016
- May 2016
- April 2016
- March 2016
- February 2016
- January 2016
- December 2015
- November 2015
- October 2015
- September 2015
- August 2015
- July 2015
- June 2015
- May 2015
- April 2015
- March 2015
- February 2015
- January 2015
- December 2014
- November 2014
- October 2014
- September 2014
- August 2014
- July 2014
- June 2014
- May 2014
- April 2014
- March 2014
- February 2014
- January 2014
- December 2013
- November 2013
- October 2013
- September 2013
- August 2013
- July 2013
- June 2013
- May 2013
- April 2013
- March 2013
- February 2013
- January 2013
- December 2012
- November 2012
- October 2012
- September 2012
- August 2012
- July 2012
- June 2012
- May 2012
- April 2012
- March 2012
- February 2012
- January 2012
- December 2011
- November 2011
- October 2011
- September 2011
- August 2011
- July 2011
- June 2011
- May 2011
- April 2011
- March 2011
- February 2011
- January 2011
- December 2010
- November 2010
- October 2010
- September 2010
- August 2010
- July 2010
- June 2010
- May 2010
- April 2010
- March 2010
- February 2010
- January 2010
- December 2009
- November 2009
- October 2009
- September 2009
- August 2009
- July 2009
- June 2009
- May 2009
- April 2009
- March 2009
- February 2009
- January 2009
- December 2008
- November 2008
- October 2008
- September 2008
- August 2008
- July 2008
- June 2008
- May 2008
- April 2008
- March 2008
- February 2008
- January 2008
Vigna di Pettineo Nero d’Avola
We received two wines from Sicilia to try for the upcoming Independence Day celebrations. Since I was grilling hamburgers today, I decided to open the Vigna di Pettineo Nero d’Avola. This 2012 red wine was made entirely with Nero d’Avola grapes grown in organic vineyards. The vineyards are located in Vittoria, in the south eastern part of Sicilia less than ten miles from the Mediterranean Sea. The vineyards are mostly comprised of red sand and the vineyard is over 20 years old.
Vigna di Pettineo is a family run winery. The winemaker, Massimo Maggio wants to craft wines that express the terroir of the land, a land that has cultivated vineyards for centuries. The 20 hectares of vineyards are planted with Nero d’Avola and Frappato with vines trellised on the alberate system. Different organic principles are practiced in the vineyards including biodiversity, grass, charcoal, reuse of rainwater and electricity from renewable resources.
Planting of grass provides a defense against erosion and offers an area for microorganisms. Also planted for each hectare of vineyards, there are 80 meters of flowering bushes that attract a diverse number of insects and birds. The vineyards are surrounded by dry-stone walls that provide habitats for reptiles. In the vineyard tare are different legumes used for green manure and even charcoal is used to help maintain humidity in the soil. All these vineyard practices along with collecting and reusing rainwater and the use of solar panels helps Vigna di Pettineo to be a sustainable vineyard and winery.
The Nero d’Avola grape is the most widely planted red grape on the island of Sicilia. Its origins date to the end of the 17th century. In the past, the grape was blended with other grapes most often to add color to a wine. Now it is often made into a varietal wine. The grape can also be found on Malta and in Turkey. There are small plantings of the grape in Australia and California.
The 2012 Vigna di Pettineo Nero d’Avola was a dark, red, barely translucent color. The aroma offered dark fruits including plums and blackberries. The taste was plums, blackberries and some earthy notes. The finish was fruity with a long aftertaste. The wine had a very smooth mouthfeel and was light to medium bodied. It will pair well with grilled beef, poultry and evan a grilled salmon. The wine is 13.5% alcohol and light enough for you to offer a red wine for the sizzling 4th of July. The average retail price in the United States is $20.