LUNA GAIA

For a grape that spent much of its history giving colour and muscle to everybody else’s wine, Nero d’Avola has done a pretty good job stepping into the spotlight on its own. For decades it was even shipped north to strengthen lighter wines in Tuscany, Piemonte and as far as southern France, while back home it was often blended with Frappato and other Sicilian varieties. Chiaramontesi shows why Nero d’Avola hardly needs the backup. Ripe strawberry and wild dark plum come first, then dark chocolate-covered cherries, and this little caramelized edge that makes the fruit feel almost sinful. There is tannin and plenty of body, but enough acidity to keep the whole thing juicy.