Who makes it?

Terre di Faiano Nero d’Avola is an organic wine from the south Italian specialist Orion Wines. There is also a Puglian primitivo in the range. Of course, Sicilian wine lovers will know that Nero d’Avola is a much loved Sicilian black grape.  It is all in the name ‘the black grape of Avola’. It goes without saying that Avola is a town in the south east of the island.

How do they make it?

Terre di Faiano Nero d’Avola is one of Italy’s appassimento, or dried grape, wines made from older vines. 20% of the grapes are picked up to two weeks early and dried while the rest of the grapes are harvested. These dried grapes are reunited with the freshly harvested grapes at the time of pressing. After fermentation is complete, 20% of the wine is aged in oak for up to five months.

For more appassimento Italian wines, please see The Italian Red Revival – Part 1 {It is not all cut and dried}

What does it taste like?

This is a full bodied Italian red. It has generous cherry fruit with some nuanced earth and sage on the nose. And some background cinnamon from that portion that rested in barrel. The grainy tannins finish with a grip making it a good choice for food. A deeper blackberry note joins the cherry fruit on the finish.

What to drink with it?

A full bodied red wine like this is good for with a juicy steak with a side of truffled mash. Or with that grip of tannins on the finish, you can settle for a burger with ALL the trimmings, and herbed chips. 

Cheese, yes please?

Cheddar is an easy choice for the Terre di Faiano Nero d’Avola.

Quickie review « This is a rich red dripping with ripe summer fruit, full and spicy, even better it is an organic wine too. »

Country of Origin: Sicily DOP, Italy 
Tasting Date: March 2021
Price:  UK £10 
Drink: now – 5+ year
Needs food: no
Source: purchase

Like the sound of Terre di Faiano Nero d’Avola, you might like these other dried grape wines :
Piccini Strapazzamento
Pasqua Romeo & Juliet Wall Bianco

Visit Orion wines for more information and The Italian Red Revival – Part 1 {It is not all cut and dried}.