Red Italian COS Contrada Nero d’Avola
Red Italian COS Contrada Nero d’Avola 2019 wine
In 1980, three close friends and winemakers, Giambattista Cilia, Cirino Strano, and Giusto Occhipinti, established COS winery in southeastern Sicily, drawing on their family roots in the region. They aimed to create exceptional wines that reflect the natural environment by employing biodynamic farming methods and minimal intervention in winemaking. This exceptional Nero d’Avola is produced from 50-year-old vines grown in Bastonaca on limestone and clay soils.
The grapes are meticulously handpicked and fermented with indigenous yeasts found on the grape skins and in the air. After fermentation, the wine is aged in Slavonian oak barrels for two years and then spends an additional 2-3 years maturing in the bottle. This robust Sicilian red wine is rich in flavors of ripe cassis, licorice, and spicy notes of cigar box, offering a full body, structured tannins, and a long finish.
The palate reveals intense flavors of crushed blackberries, plums, and cherries with hints of dried herbs, earthy tones, leather, and smoked meat due to the extended aging process. This outstanding wine can be cellared for several years or enjoyed now with charcuterie, hearty game dishes, or a succulent ribeye steak.
Red Italian COS Frappato 2023 wine
COS was established in 1980 by three close friends, Giambattista Cilia, Cirino Strano, and Giusto Occhipinti, with the aim of introducing an innovative winemaking approach to their region in south-eastern Sicily. One of their unique practices involves using large amphorae, known as “giare”, for fermenting and aging some of their wines, and focusing on local grape varieties like Frappato. Frappato, a lesser-known grape outside of Sicily, is often likened to Gamay from Beaujolais for its creation of light-bodied red wines with a vibrant fruitiness.
The grapes for this particular wine are cultivated organically in Vittoria, harvested meticulously in late September, and fermented with wild yeasts in a mix of amphorae and concrete tanks. The wine offers floral aromas, red berry flavors, and hints of dried herbs. Its light body, silky tannins, and delicate red fruit taste with a crisp, clean finish make it a delightful choice to enjoy lightly chilled on a warm summer day as a refreshing aperitif.
Red Italian COS Maldafrica 2020 wine
Established by a trio of friends in 1980, the COS winery in south-eastern Italy has gained a strong reputation for crafting exceptional Sicilian wines by utilizing ancient winemaking methods. The founders, Giambattista Cilia, Cirino Strano, and Giusto Occhipinti, employ biodynamic farming techniques to ensure top-quality grapes and aim to produce wines that reflect the distinct characteristics of the local terroir. One of their notable creations is the COS Maldafrica, a rich blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot cultivated in clay and limestone soils.
Following the harvest, the wine is fermented with natural yeasts in large terracotta amphorae called “giare,” traditionally used for winemaking and aging. It is then aged in oak barrels before being bottled, resulting in a pure and concentrated representation of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. The wine offers intense scents of cherries, dark berries, dried herbs, and licorice.
With a velvety texture, ripe tannins, and a robust structure, it pairs well with hearty dishes such as beef stews.
Red Italian Dal Forno Romano Amarone della Valpolicella Monte Lodoletta 2017 wine
It is advised to let it breathe for an hour. Regarded as one of Valpolicella’s top wineries, Romano Dal Forno oversees a 25-hectare property in Val d’Illasi, situated to the northwest of Verona. This region is known for its limestone-rich soils and a climate moderated by the winds from Lake Garda, making it ideal for growing traditional red grape varieties like Corvina, Rondinella, and Molinara.