Cerasuolo di Vittoria

Nero d’Avola and Frappato share the vineyard composition that defines Cerasuolo di Vittoria. The result belongs to a family of dry reds whose floral and fruit aromas accompany a full, soft palate. The proportions vary within the denomination’s limits, so the label names a place and a blend.

The wine was recognized as a DOC in 1973 and became a DOCG in 2005. Its Classico designation identifies the older delimited production area and a later release date, rather than a separate grape variety.

The vineyard composition combines 50–70% Nero d’Avola with 30–50% Frappato. Producers choose their cellar methods within the denomination’s rules. Planeta’s Cerasuolo di Vittoria 2022, for example, fermented in stainless steel and continued its maturation in steel after malolactic fermentation.

The general Cerasuolo di Vittoria can be released from June 1 in the year after harvest. Classico waits until March 31 in the second year after harvest.

Serve Planeta’s Cerasuolo di Vittoria 2022 with tomato-based dishes, white meat or seared tuna. Try Donnafugata’s Floramundi with meat-filled ravioli or pork fillet.

Serve Floramundi slightly cool, at 15–16°C, in a generous wine glass. For other bottlings, follow the producer’s serving advice.

Look for Cerasuolo di Vittoria DOCG and the harvest year on the bottle. Choose Classico when you want the historic-area designation with its later release threshold. Compare the producer and vintage as well as the name; a cellar method or maturation period belongs to the particular wine you are buying.