So what then of nicely priced Nero d’Avola. What should we look for and what will we find? Not heavy extraction, a delicate bouquet that does have a certain cinnamon quality to it, a certain smell of hot summer winds across wild herbs, but not baked out, still with a goodly amount of ripe fresh fruit, bitter cherry.

Alto Belice are a splendidly appointed modern cooperative in the Commune di San Ciperello. They have, over the last five years, invested heavily in both the winery and in support of their growers. This has produced enropmous improvements in the quality and longevity of their products. Interestingly, they are now looking to increase their exports in an exponential manner. So, we will have plenty of finely produced, fruit forward warm Sicilian bottles for the foreseeable future.