Bacchus
I may be the Wine Buyer at Whole Foods, but I do find my way to Trader Joe’s occasionally. And on some of those occasions, I buy some wine. There, I said it, are you happy? One of the wines I happily stash in my basket when there is the Epicuro Nero D’Avola, which retails for…. wait for it…. $4.99. Yup, $4.99, and it’s good wine. It’s may not be the kind of wine that will change your life, but it is certainly a well spent five bucks.
Nero D’Avola is a grape that is native to Sicily it literally translates to the black of Avola, a town in the southeast corner of this majestic island. Nero D’Avola is a grape that can most easily be compared to Syrah. Both grapes do well in the heat, but whereas Syrah is much happier in cooler climates where it produces delicious meaty overtones (more about this in future articles) Nero thrives in the heat. Big dark fruit, blackberry, blueberry and plum, coupled with just enough acidity makes this an easy drinking as well as affordable wine. Nero D’Avola is like the guy that’s always at your favorite bar, kind of roundish, gregarious and fun to talk to but not someone you’re going to discuss Nietzsche with. Overall, I think this grape can make a great wine.
