This is a really successful blend of Nero d’Avola and Merlot bringing out the best of both varietals in a wine that is better than the sum of its two parts. The lovely rich but slighly light Nero d’Avola bulked up by rich and soft Merlot.  This differs from the Passole in that it is predominantly Merlot backed up by Nero d’Avola rather than the other way round. Then it spends eight months in oak barrels giving it a lovely, spicey and elegant texture.

I have travelled to Sicily many, many times in the past when we developed the “D’Istinto” brand with my (sadly late) friend Maurizio Micicche. So I’ve always had a soft spot for the indigenous Nero d’Avola and Grillo grape varieties. This year (2023) we finally had the opportunity to investigate for The Real Wine Co and found three wines we really liked from Cantine Birgi.