Questo vino
Vineyard and ingredients
Nero d’Avola comes from south-central Sicily. Wild marasca cherry leaves are gathered at the Suor Marchesa estate in Riesi in June. They are spread in the sun for about 15 days; evaporation of their moisture concentrates the characteristic aromas.
Grapes
Nero d’Avola, combined with an alcoholic infusion of wild marasca cherry leaves and sugar.
Vinification
After drying, the marasca leaves are infused in alcohol for 20–25 days to extract their aromatic essence. ALA is assembled from red wine, this alcoholic infusion and sugar.
Ageing
Selected Sicilian red wines undergo prolonged ageing in oak barrels before being flavoured with the marasca-leaf infusion.
Technical data
Alcohol: 17.5% vol. Sugar: 110 g/L. Bottle format: 50 cl. Longevity: over 10 years.
Tasting profile
Garnet red with amber highlights. The intense, ethereal bouquet shows clear marasca cherry notes and an almond nuance. Sweet, warm, velvety and strongly aromatic on the palate, with a pleasantly bitter undertone.
Serving and pairing
Serve at 12–14 °C in a white-wine glass. Pair with chocolate- and almond-based desserts, particularly Modica chocolate flavoured with chilli pepper.
Label / history
ALA is an acronym for Antico Liquorvino Amarascato. Created in the second decade of the 20th century, it is a dessert wine based on the union of Nero d’Avola, wild marasca cherry leaves infused in alcohol and sugar.
