Marchese Montefusco Nero d'Avola 2022

The history of the Ermes vineyard has its roots in a recent past of destruction and reconstruction. On the night of January 14 to 15, 1968, an earthquake devastated part of the Belice Valley. On this same land, where so much was taken away, a group of young winegrowers decided to start from scratch. In 1998, social and economic redemption was accomplished by founding the cooperative winery of Ermes, whose headquarters are located in the heart of the Belice Valley, between the municipalities of Gibellina and Santa Ninfa. This cuvée is made from Nero d'Avola , coming from vines located in the Gibellina hills at 200-300 m above sea level. This wine undergoes maceration for 12 to 15 days with daily pumping over. It will then be aged for 4 months in stainless steel vats. It is not aged in wood to preserve the freshness of the aromas. This wine bursting with freshness offers an intense blend of red cherry , raspberry , licorice , blueberry and red berries . It is a supple and light wine coated in subtle tannins finishing with a slightly mineral finish.

Ah Italy, what a beautiful hedonistic country, people of the Dolce Vita, but what difficulty in understanding its wine organization! The key to understanding the naming system in Italy is to think of it as several small countries rather than a single homogeneous country because each region has its own naming system. Italy can, however, give wine lovers a multitude of wines with varied and unique flavors and styles, as well as bottles filled with surprise and creativity. Unfortunately, it also produces a large quantity of soulless and characterless wines which are sold under their most useful and commercially reputable name: Pinot Grigio, Chianti, Valpolicella, Lambrusco, Prosecco and many others... But let's talk a little history, viticulture in Italy dates back to ancient times and it originated in Greece. The Etruscans would have planted vines and Greek immigrants would have improved and modified the grape varieties who subsequently called this country "Oenotria": the country of wine. At the height of the Roman Empire, wine held an important place in daily life and certain regions already stood out for the excellence of their product. The Romans also established numerous vineyards in Europe, leaving an indelible testimony to their invasion. Today Italy is the largest wine producer in the world, ahead of France. Italy is divided into three climatic areas. The northern mountains experience a fairly harsh mountain climate. The “middle of the boot” plain is the domain of the continental climate with cold winters and hot, stormy summers. In the "southern part of the Italian boot" the Mediterranean climate reigns with very hot and very dry summers without forgetting the islands of Sicily and Sardinia. In summary, Italy produces wines of great variety thanks to its 200 different grape varieties, many of which originate from their lands. It is a country just as complex as its wines which deserve to be explored!