WBW #8 – Sicilian Reds
Wednesday, April 13th, 2005
I’m coming a little late to the game… Len of Lenndevours started started Wine Blog Wednesday where a bunch of wine bloggers get together and blog the same theme. If you are terribly interested, I’ll let you read Len’s site as I jump into my first foray…
LovelySicily is the host of this particular installment, choosing Sicilian wines as this month’s theme and having a California-centric cellar, I had a moment of panic — could I even FIND a Sicilian wine in Napa??? Well, when I got home last evening, I discovered Shawn was busy preparing a lovely roast chicken to finish out an open bottle of Capiaux Pinot. "I forgot I was going to stop and get a Sicilian wine!" I lamented… Shawn, remembering what’s in our cellar far better I do, pulled out a Morgante 2001 Nero D’Avola, Vendemmia that we bought several years ago.
Surprising me, it went with the herb-covered chicken, steamed asparagus, and Bhutanese red rice very nicely. Inky and almost black in color, it was like a beginner’s Syrah in jamminess. Interesting persimmon notes were prevalent in its fruitiness and the tannins and acids were easy, smooth, and extremely pleasant. A hint of spice on the end complemented to chicken more than I thought it would. Considering its dark color and complexity, I anticipated it fighting the food but it was quite lovely (especially at $11.99!). Good call, Ron – you’ve got a new convert!