Type: Red - Contessa Entellina DOC

Alcoholic content: 13,5-14% alc/vol.

Grapes: Nero d'Avola and a small percentage of other varieties. Trained in the counter-espalier system and pruned in spurred cordon. Average planting density, 5,000 rootstocks per hectare (2,024 an acre); production of about 4 tons per hectare (1.62 tons an acre). Terrain of medium consistency.

Wine-making: Harvested in September, the grapes are vinified in stainless steel vats and macerated with their skins for about 12 days at 26-30°C (79-86°F). After malolactic fermentation, the wine is poured into French-oak barriques, most of which new, for 14-16 months and aged in bottles for at least 24 months.

Description: An exquisitely executed Nero d’Avola, this wine is deep ruby-red in colour. The enticing bouquet has a sweet fragrance with a fine balsamic undertone. The palate opens with floral notes of violet and rounds out with hints of tobacco on the persistent finish. A wine with exceptional structure and remarkable personality.

Food & Wine: Complex red meat dishes and herby sauces. Try this wine with cheese, roast mutton, and veal and lamb chops.

Two dishes: Costolettine di montone impanate al timo (breaded mutton cutlets with thyme). Spalla di vitello al forno con patate e cipollotti (oven-roasted veal shoulder with potatoes and onions).

Serve: In large goblets, the wine can be uncorked a few minutes before serving; otherwise open the bottle two hours earlier. Excellent at 18°C (64°F).

Curiosity: Queen Maria Carolina, in flight from Naples, took refuge at Santa Margherita Belice in the palace shown on the label and it was the favorite residence of author Tomasi di Lampedusa. Gabriella Anca Rallo captured the image and set it in a Mille e una Notte ("Thousand and One Nights") sky dotted with stars and rich in promise. First vintage: 1995