2024 Ciello Rosso

Cantina Rallo is an historic producer of Marsala from the town of Alcamo, between Palermo and Trapani in western Sicily. The Vesco family took over the cellar in the 90's, and have since revolutionized the winemaking and viticulture. The Ciello line is a reference to Cielo of Alcamo, one of the best-known poets of the Sicilian School. This an entire century before Dante, when Palermo was the capital of the Sicilian kingdom, Cielo was the first poet to write in a non Latin language. Produced from a combination of estate and purchased fruit (all organic), this nero d'avola is case study in growing high quality fruit in a Mediterranean, sub-Saharan climate. Where a lot of nero d'avola these days veers over a comfortable level of sweetness and alcohol, this is fresh, easy to drink, and well-balanced. Try it with pizza (duh) or barbecue!