The wine of the evening was a 2005 Sedara Nero d'Avola. It also said "Donnafugata" on the label, but I can't say I know what that means! The wine had a real cork closure, hailed from Sicilia, and clocked in at 14% alcohol. I picked this up at the Winery in Old Town Alexandria for $15.99 minus a 10% mixed case discount.On the nose I found aromas of raisins, deli meat, and dark berries. There was a smoky note emanating from my glass as well. In the mouth, flavors of tart dark blackberries and bing cherries were present. The fruit was sour! The wine overall was mouth puckering, very dark, with a fairly long finish, and a slightly bitter aftertaste.
I served the wine with turkey soup that I made out of our Thanksgiving Tom, but I think the wine was too dark for the soup. It was a heavy soup too, so I was little surprised it didn't stand up to the wine. Overall, the wine was interesting, but I'm not sure I would get it again.
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"Donnafugata" means "fleeing woman"! There is a story behind the name of the winery, but I forget what it is. I used to sell this wine in my store when it was open. All their wines are good. Their dessert wine is to die for!
1/7/08, 9:21 AM
Also, Donnafugata is the name of the winery. Sedara is the proprietary name of that wine. They also make Anthilia and Chiaranda, which are whites and Tancredi and Mille e Una Notte which are their higher end Nero d'Avolas and the Ben Rye which is their dessert wine.
IMHO, the higher end Nero d'Avolas of theirs are much nicer, especially the Mille e Una Notte. You can find out more here: http://www.donnafugata.it/ThomeI102.html
1/7/08, 9:27 AM
I've never had a Nero d' Avola. What other wine would compare to it. I read that the wine is "sought after for its aging potential." I wonder if you the wine had aged for five more years if it would have been better.
1/7/08, 5:52 PM
I know what you mean about the Italian wine labels. I’m learning to read them myself. I’ve got a couple of postings, Dogajolo Super Tuscan and a 2001 Montepulciano d’Abruzzo from the west central coast of Italy. I bring this up because I’m documenting what I’m learning and you’re welcome to have a look as I muddle through.
1/7/08, 7:53 PM
I've had a couple different Nero d'Avola and really enjoyed them. I was going to pick one up on Sunday at World Market but got swept up by the furniture sale and forgot about the bottle I'd set down on some or other table.
1/8/08, 11:59 AM
Linda-thank you for the information!
Orion-It's not really like anything else I've had. I've since had a few others and I think overall they have been too young.
Taster a-I am definitely still muddling as well....especially through things in languages I don't understand very well!
Farley-And you call yourself a wino, forgetting about wine? ;)
1/23/08, 10:32 PM