Vigneti Zabù, Nero d'Avola

• Vintage: 2022
• Origin: Lake Arancio, South West Sicily
  
• Taste guide: This Nero d`Avola is intense ruby red in colour with purple highlights. The nose is bursting with red cherries and berry fruit, supported by floral and balsamic notes. Warm and long-lasting, the palate has lovely hints of wildflower on the finish and supple tannins.
• 75cl - 13% - Traditional cork opening
• Food match: Excellent with juicy beef dishes, a chilli con carne or tomato and onion based pasta dishes.

Vigneti Zabù, in Sicily, is part of the Fantini group, founded by Valentino Sciotti in 1994 to produce top-quality wine from southern Italy and its islands.

Vineyards

The vineyards for Vigneti Zabù were planted in 2005 on the hills around Lake Arancio in Sambuca di Sicilia in south-western Sicily. Lake Arancio, with its crystal-clear water, creates a perfect microclimate for viticulture. The vines are south/south-west facing at an altitude of 350 metres above sea level. Soils are predominantly limestone with a small percentage of clay and sand.

Vintage

The 2022 vintage was characterised by a cool, dry winter and a warm early spring with good flowering and fruit set. The summer months saw very high temperatures and drought lasted for 40 days, increasing the risk of grape ‘sunburn. Producers had to find solutions to limit the damages such as shading measures and relief irrigation to maintain a good water supply in the vineyards. Those parcels close to the forest or with higher altitudes, were able to retain freshness also due to a good diurnal temperature range. The rain finally arrived in late July, enabling harvest time to align with the average period.

UK retail is £12-£14 (checked Sept ‘24) so great value here at just £9.99 a bottle!