So first there was the thread about Asimov’s Sicilian wine article. Then a couple of threads about buying and drinking wine wherein I said I don’t buy cellarworthy wines much anymore but do but inexpensive house wines for casual drinking. So… this note.
This was from the local supermarket. Case Ibidini is the second label of Valle della Acate. The wines, apparently, are made to be drunk casually with friends etc. and this fits the bill.
Medium red color with some blueish purple hints. Fairly transparent both in appearance and on the palate, the nose has fresh tart berry flavors, a hint of spice and perhaps a floral note. In the mouth, the wine is as one would expect - a medium bodied but transparent wine with nice red fruit, a hint of tannins and balancing acid. It’s refreshing, tasty and balanced. There’s no oak and the wine isn’t hot in the least ( it’s 12.5% according to the label). The spicy notes and the hint of flowers elevate this a bit, but what it really is is a good, honest Nero d’Avola that matched perfectly with a pork chop that was seasoned, lightly breaded, seared and finshed in the oven and some scratch mac and cheese.