Welcome to another edition of Wine Wednesday with me!

Before I get right into it, since this is a relatively new feature on my blog, let me do a quick reminder of what this is all about.

A Quick Intro

I usually do a special little thing on Wednesdays - often referred to as “Wine Wednesdays” by wine lovers such as myself that are active on social media - and that is that I go to the liquor store and randomly pick a bottle from the shelves to try and tell others about.

I love to buy and share wines that are actually readily available! Well, at least once a week. At other points in the week, I drink what tickles my fancy :)

A few important points to know about my Wine Wednesday picks:

1. There is no plan when I go to the liquor store for Wine Wednesday. I actually wander the aisles and randomly pick something I haven’t tried but looks interesting for some reason. At best, I may have a region or varietal in mind depending on my mood that day but to be honest, there is usually no plan!

2. I pick wines across a wide range of price points. Generally the wines on Wine Wednesdays are between $20 - $65 Canadian dollars.

3. I always try to walk back and forth to the liquor store on Wine Wednesdays. It’s kind of like a meditation for me. I listen to a podcast, walk, think and get into the mood to taste and experience something new. It doesn’t always happen because life gets busy and/or the weather can sometimes be dreadful….but I do try. Total round trip = approx 7kms, so it’s a great way to get some exercise too!

NOTE: I usually post my Wine Wednesday selections on my Instagram account (@wineitupanotch, if you aren’t following already) every Wed night/Thurs morning as well, but the real estate there is limited and sometimes I’ve got more to say than I care to say on IG. And besides, blogging about my wine adventures gives me a more permanent record of what I’ve tried, when and where, and what I thought. I like to think of it as my virtual wine diary that I can share widely with other wine lovers!

And with that, let’s get into this week’s pick!

Feudo Montoni 2018 Lagnusa Nero D’Avola

Hailing from Sicily, this wine is made from 100% Nero D’Avola by a famed and historic producer in this region. It is a beautiful wine that I would highly recommend to anyone. Here’s what you need to/want to know:

What does this wine cost?

$25/bottle. I think this is a very fair price for this wine.

A bit about Nero D’Avola

While this is not as familiar a grape variety for some of us, especially outside of Europe, as say Cabernet Sauvignon or Sauvignon Blanc, it is in fact a very well known varietal from the island of Sicily, Italy. So important is this variety that it is one of the island’s most planted red grape varieties. Because of the presence of Mount Etna, an active volcano on the island, these wines can carry volcanic characteristics and are often fruity but complex and spicy as well. They often represent fantastic value and can be made as single varietal wines, or blended with other varietals.

Where does this wine come from?

Sicily is the largest island in the Mediterranean and is located just off the toe of the famously boot-shaped Italy. Alongside one of the most active volcanos of the present day, a rich culinary history, loads of UNESCO world heritage sites and its own unique culture, Sicily also boasts a rich and long history in wine making. There are many unique and indigenous grape varieties grown here, including Nero D’Avola. Sicily is Italy’s 4th largest wine producing region.

Who makes this wine?

Feudo Montoni is a family owned and operated winery in the heart of Sicily is one of the most respected wineries of the island. The winery is presently led by the third generation of owners of this family, Fabio Sireci. Feudo Montoni makes a range of critically acclaimed wines.

Fabio is very dedicated to sustainability and all Feudo Montoni wines are certified organic. The vineyard itself is a historic location where high quality wines have been produced since the mid 1400s. It is in a high altitude location that is surrounded by wheat fields, with sandy and clay soils, and good levels of rainfall, all of which the winemaker says contribute to the complexity of their wines.

“Lagnusa”, which is part of the name of this wine, is one of the Montoni vineyard sites. The name means “that which is lazy and produces small quantities”. In the wine making worlds, lands that produce less are thought to be lands that produce better quality! This site is located 600 metres above sea level.

To learn more about Feudo Montani, click here. You can also read a fantastic blog post by Toronto-based wine critic Michael Godell here.

My tasting notes:

A vibrant purply-red in the glass, this wine has a beautiful perfumed nose full of dark cherries, blackberries, cinnamon and vanilla. There is an almost sweet, candy gumball cake-like quality to the aroma of this wine that is incredibly appealing. I could smell this wine for days! In the mouth, there are red fruit notes, sweet and smooth spices and herbal notes too. The wine possesses medium tannins that are not at all invasive and are more than offset by a very vibrant acidity and mineral quality. With a long finish, the overall feel of the wine is light and delectable. This is undoubtedly an extremely elegant and sophisticated wine. This wine would be pleasant to most red wine drinkers, regardless of their preferences!

Aging potential:

I think this wine can be held for a few years but why bother? It’s drinking beautifully right now!

Recommendations to Wineitupanotch:

Pair this wine with salumi and aged cheese, pizza, pasta or beef lasagna!

Wineitupanotch Wine Score: 90 points

Overall, a very impressive and inviting wine at a very fair price!

If you are located in the province of Ontario as I am, and wish to purchase this wine, you can find it at the LCBO under Product #523738

FINAL VERDICT:

I’m personally a huge fan of Nero D’Avola. I generally enjoy all of the examples that I’ve tried. This one is no exception and I would even say that it is quite special. Organic, fairly priced and delicious - how can you go wrong? Cheers!

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