Who makes it?

Donnafugata is wine brand of the Rallo family. A family that has their history founded in the Marsala trade but Giacomo and Gabriella started Donnafugata in 1983. Donnafugata adorns their wines with Stefano Vitale’s distinctive labels. Vitale designed these in 1994.

Sherazade is a female character in ‘One thousand and one nights’ and a lively companion for the wine Mille e una Notte. Mille e una Notte translates into 'thousand and one nights' and you can read the review here.

The family draw their grapes from all over Sicily. Including from the Island of Pantellaria where they make some outstanding wines made from the Muscat that is grown there. The grapes for this wine come from the Contessa Entellina Estate in the South West of Sicily.

To read a review of the Donnafugata Kabir Moscato di Pantellaria please click here, or the Donnafugata Bell’Assai Frappato.

How do they make it?

Sherazade is a lush red made from 100% Nero d’Avola, one of Sicily’s flagship red wine grapes. 

This wine is expertly made to reflect Nero’s vinous personality. It has been matured in stainless steel tanks for up to four months and sees no oak.  Without a doubt, this makes it an excellent foil for the Mille e Una Notte which is an oaked version of the grape.

Click here to read more about Nero d'Avola and why you should be drinking it. and here to read Six Nero d'Avola wines to get into your glass NOW!

What does it taste like?

This is a rather elegant red. It has some purple hues in the light. There is some spicy cherry fruit with some herbs and liquorice undertones. However, it is tannins that give this wine a beguiling texture. These tannins are plush and powdery and extend the length while still being more of a medium bodied wine. 

This is a wine that would work quite well at lunch as you could very lightly chill it. 

What to drink it with?

As a food option, you could also start with a meaty ragu pasta or stew. It goes without saying that a juicy beef burger would also work well.

Cheese

This red will go very nicely with hard matured cheese such as cheddar and Manchego. A truffle flavoured cheddar is a good match.

Quickie review «Fresh, and drippingly ripe and plushly textured red from Sicily. »

Country of Origin:  Sicily, Italy
Tasting Date: September 2024
Price:  UK £18 | €13 | AU$45 | US$22 ++
Drink: now – 3+ years 
Needs food: no
Source: tasting

If you like Italian red wines, why not check out:
The Italian Red Revival … Part 2 It’s Going South

If you like this wine, why not check out other Sicilian wines:
Donnafugata Sherazade Nero d'Avola
Donnafugata Kabir Moscato di Pantelleria DOC
Pietradolce Archineri Etna Bianco

Visit donnafugata for more.