What kind of wine is Terre Siciliane Nero d'Avola IGT 'Antico Alberello' 2018 - Baglio di Pianetto?

The Terre Siciliane Nero d'Avola IGT “Antico Alberello” 2018 from Baglio di Pianetto is a red wine of great personality, an authentic expression of Sicily's iconic grape variety. The grapes come from vines over 35 years old, cultivated using the 'alberello' (bush vine) system — a traditional cultivation method that ensures limited but high-quality yields. The result is a full-bodied, elegant, and harmonious red, embodying the ripeness of the fruit and the complexity of its terroir.

Vintage Details

The 2018 vintage offered a balanced climate, with warm but not excessive summers and optimal diurnal temperature shifts. These conditions favored gradual grape ripening, ensuring a perfect balance between sugars, acidity, and tannins. The harvest, performed manually, allowed for a careful selection of the best bunches to guarantee the highest quality in the final wine.

Winemaking and Aging

The winemaking of Terre Siciliane Nero d'Avola IGT “Antico Alberello” 2018 - Baglio di Pianetto respects the natural character of the grape variety. Fermentations take place with indigenous yeasts, meaning those naturally present on the grape skins, offering greater aromatic authenticity. After maceration, which allows for good color and tannin extraction, the wine ages for 12 months in barrique and another 6 months in large barrels. This is followed by a long bottle refinement of 36 months, which helps to smooth out any rough edges and broaden the aromatic bouquet.

Tasting Notes

Color

Visually, the Antico Alberello presents an intense ruby red with garnet reflections, indicative of its maturity and long aging.

Nose

The aromatic profile is complex and deep. Notes of ripe red fruit, such as cherry and plum, are recognizable, accompanied by spicy hints and balsamic nuances. The wood is well integrated and enriches the whole with touches of vanilla and light toastiness.

Palate

On the palate, it is enveloping and structured, with velvety and well-balanced tannins. Its freshness enhances drinkability, while the persistent finish leaves a long and harmonious memory of fruit and sweet spices. A wine of excellent structure, capable of evolving over time while always maintaining elegance and depth.

What dishes to pair with Terre Siciliane Nero d'Avola IGT 'Antico Alberello' 2018 - Baglio di Pianetto?

This Nero d'Avola pairs perfectly with rich and savory Mediterranean dishes. Recommended pairings include:

• Grilled or braised red meats;
• Lamb or wild boar ragu;
• Aged cheeses and Sicilian pecorino cheeses;
• Pasta with structured sauces based on tomato and spices.

Its softness also makes it ideal with elaborate vegetarian dishes, such as eggplant parmesan or mushroom risottos.

Storage and Aging: How to store Terre Siciliane Nero d'Avola IGT 'Antico Alberello' 2018 - Baglio di Pianetto wine

To best preserve this wine, it is recommended to keep it in a cool, dark place, with a constant temperature between 12 and 16 °C and the bottle lying down, to keep the cork moist. Thanks to its structure and long aging, the Antico Alberello 2018 has excellent evolutionary potential: it can continue to mature in the bottle for over ten years, developing new aromatic nuances and greater roundness on the palate over time. A highly valuable choice for those who love to discover the evolution of Nero d'Avola over time.