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Italy's growing reputation with wine is due not only to the fact that it produces and exports more than any other country except occasionally France, but it offers the greatest diversity of wines, ranging through every color, flavor and style imaginable. Italy accounts for a mere 650,000,000 cases of wine per year, more than 20% of the world production. Experts have increasingly proclaimed Italy's wines among the worlds finest. Many of the noblest originate in the 250 zones officially classified zones, but a number of individualistic wines go proudly under their own titles. Many consumers abroad, perhaps unaware of the wealth of types (or perhaps overwhelmed by the numbers) have not always taken advantage of the unmatchable variety of Italian wines. Sicily is taking the lead in the production of original wines. The harsh Sicilian sun is tempered by gentle, cooling Mediterranean breezes giving perfect conditions, ideal for making wines of character, which also offer exceptional value. The three standout grapes that are indigenous to Sicily are Grillo, Nero d'Avola and Negro Amaro. Each grape has its own unique fruit flavors and is overflowing with Sicilian Character. The major estate of Lamura recently joined forces with one of Sicily's leading cooperatives, Baglio Chitarra, in order to ensure a continuous supply of top quality grapes in one of the best winegrowing areas of Sicily. Lamura Nero d'Avola is made from Sicily's classic red grape variety grown on hillside slopes in the Marsala and Salemi areas of western Sicily. Grapes are fermented immediately after picking in order to obtain the best possibly balance of fruit, tannins and acidity. The wine is then aged in large oak tanks to give further complexity, yet not over take the lively fruit characteristics of this incredible grape. Today Sicily is alive with development and innovation, resulting in a plethora of great wines. Whites are better than ever and the reds are taking their place in the world of great wines and are still a fantastic bargain. Our selection is a fruit-driven red wine of character, which is soft, approachable and very easy to drink. Packed with red berry fruit flavors, this is a wine to evoke images of the beautiful Mediterranean island of Sicily. February 2010 Vintners Series Newsletter (.pdf)
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