Variety: 100% Nero d’Avola
Region: Sicilia DOC
Cost: $20 (SRP)
Winemaker’s Notes: Intense ruby-red in color, Lamuri offers lush aromas of black cherry, black fruits, vanilla, tobacco, and wild herbs. On the palate, velvety tannins and refreshing acidity make for an elegant, expressive, crowd-pleasing wine.
Pair this wine with spaghetti and meatballs, Bolognese sauces, pappa pmodoro, and lamb kebabs.
My Review: So much Sicilian wine of late. It’s a good problem to have–Italian wine always holds a special place in my heart, but getting to branch out to some of the other parts of the country beyond Chianti and Piedmont are always nice. This recent vinological trip to Sicily has reminded me of that.
So as I wrapped up said trip, I thought it only appropriate to pair some Sicilian wine with my wife and my take on an Italian (or at least American Italian) classic: Lasagna.
Let’s start with the wine though.
In the glass the wine was a nice, intense ruby red color. On the nose I picked up aromas of black fruit, some spice, and some dried wild herbs. In the mouth Nero d’Avola was velvety and smooth, with flavors of dark fruit, herbs, and tobacco.
We paired the wine with lasagna rolls. Essentially, instead of layering noodles, cheese, sauce, and meat in a dish, we take the meat and cheese and roll them inside the noodles and then cover the whole thing in sauce and cheese and bake until done. It gives you all the flavor of lasagna in something that’s a bit easier to manage your portions on.
As for the pairing, I thought the wine went perfectly. The fruit and herb notes paired perfectly with the pork sausage we used and the bright acidity of the tomato sauce. Was it a traditional Sicilian wine and food pairing? Probably not (ok, almost certainly not), but it was certainly tasty and I would definitely do it again.
Overall I thought this wine was a great value. Until it opened up it was a bit of a two-note wine, but over time it showed some more character, with more of the spices and vanilla showing up.
This may not be the finest of wines, but for a middle of the week wine, or something to mix it up after weeks of being stuck at home, it’s a great option, and the price point is hard to beat, as it definitely drinks at or above the price point.
Editor’s Note: I received this wine as a free sample for review.
