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VALLE DELL'ACATE, CERASUOLO DI VITTORIA

Cerasuolo is the only DOC wine produced in the province of Ragusa, which was created in 1926 through the administrative unification of some communes that had previously been a part of the province of Syracuse.
In addition to the Cerasuolo, there are other wines not covered by the DOC system, such as the Eloro, the production of which is concentrated primarily in Syracuse province, and the Ambrato di Modica. The output is sufficient to confirm the extremely ancient enological reputation of the area. In the 4th century, the Latin grammarian Priscianus cited the goodness of the wines of Modica. The town of Camarina also produced wines that were of major interest, as the discovery of wine containers of the 4th-3rd centuries BC clearly demonstrates. The same area is the source of the great wines of Vittoria, a commune founded at the beginning of the 18th century at the initiative of Vittoria Colonna, Countess of Modica.
At the end of the last century, the vineyards of the Ragusa district were heavily damaged by the phylloxera epidemic, which made its first appearance on Sicily in that zone. The destruction was so great that many farmers preferred to plant their lands in other crops that were more secure and remunerative. The “struggle” between other fruits and vegetables on one hand and the vine on the other was finally resolved about 20 years ago, when the surface area devoted to grapes stabilized at about 7,000 hectares after major fluctuations earlier in the century.
The Cerasuolo di Vittoria is produced from the vinification of red Frappato grapes and was first presented in 1933 at the initial Exhibition-Market of Siena. It takes its name from the magnificent color that characterizes the wine. It is a superior table wine that can be aged at considerable length-up to 30 years. Going against the rules, the most refined connoisseurs advise that it be drunk as an aperitif when it is quite old.

Region: Sicilia
Varietal: 60% Nero d'Avola 40% Frappato
Tasting Notes: Intense aromas of black licorice, cracked pepper and black cherry spring from the glass with supporting flavors of dark red fruits, tobacco and earth. Perfectly pairs with osso bucco or mushroom stew.