Notify me
2017 Vittoria Calabrese
PortelliAt 13% alcohol, this is not a massive Nero d’Avola...
Next time you feel inspired to try a simple new recipe, cook down some onions, garlic, and tomatoes (canned is fine) in olive oil. Add capers and pitted olives to the mix, then sprinkle in some dried herbs like oregano and thyme. A pinch of hot chili flakes will not hurt, if desired. Spoon the sauce over grilled swordfish or tuna, or add it to the pasta of your choice.
You have just created the perfect pairing for Portelli’s Calabrese. Hailing from Vittoria, in southern Sicily, this red is the ideal foil to savory, flavorful Mediterranean-inspired fare. Calabrese, also known as Nero d’Avola, has a remarkable capacity to retain acidity in a decidedly baking climate, allowing Portelli’s 2017 to coat the palate with sumptuous notes of black cherry and blackberry all while staying light on its feet, revealing a radiant brightness to contrast the succulent dark fruit. At table, these qualities are paramount.
Alessandro Portelli no longer filters his wines, preserving a fleshy, pulpy texture that lingers on the taste buds. This is not a massive Nero d’Avola—at thirteen percent alcohol, it is elegant, and does not overpower simple, casual meals. Your rapidly assembled Mediterranean feasts are certain to reach new levels.
—Anthony Lynch
Wine Type: | red |
Vintage: | 2017 |
Bottle Size: | 750mL |
Blend: | Calabrese |
Appellation: | Vittoria Calabrese |
Country: | Italy |
Region: | Sicily |
Producer: | Portelli |
Vineyard: | 4.5 ha, Planted in 1998 |
Soil: | Clay |
Farming: | Organic (certified) |
Alcohol: | 13% |
More from this Producer or Region
2019 Terre Siciliane Bianco “Lato Sud”
Italy | Sicily
This old-vine Carricante gets its luxurious golden hue from four days of skin contact, a traditional process on Etna that really brings out the distinctive scents of this special place.
2021 Terre Siciliane Bianco “Marzaiolo”
Italy | Sicily
The Marzaiolo is a brilliant white bursting with sunshine, sea spray, and fresh-squeezed Sicilian lemons.
2019 Cerasuolo di Vittoria
Italy | Sicily
Enough vibrance and freshness to drink well on its own, but just enough tannin and acid to be versatile at table.
2020 Terre Siciliane Carricante “Sciare Vive”
Italy | Sicily
Aromas of wildflowers, saffron, beeswax, and Mediterranean herbs. Rich, fleshy, and focused, all at just 12% alcohol.
2020 Vittoria Frappato
| Sicily
The wine builds to a crescendo and leaves the palate stained and saturated with staying power. This is much more than quaffing Frappato. Irresistible.
2022 Olio Extravergine di Oliva Biologica
Italy | Sicily
One of Sicily’s most coveted oils, perfumed with bright citrus, dried fruit, and herbs.
2021 Etna Rosso “Sciare Vive”
Italy | Sicily
This red’s satiny texture allows it to gloss over the palate with utter delicacy, while suggestions of smoke, white pepper, and brandied cherries linger after each sip.
2020 Eloro Nero d’Avola “Spaccaforno”
Italy | Sicily
April Club Rouge ~ The Padova family’s Spaccaforno is generous but not heavy, with suggestions of blackberry, licorice, and spice leading to a lively, chalky finish.
2020 Terre Siciliane Bianco “Nsajàr”
Italy | Sicily
“Nsajàr” means “to try something new” in the local dialect, and this wine is the epitome of creating something new from something old.
About The Producer
Portelli
In the southeastern corner of Sicily, west of Modica and Ragusa, the town of Vittoria is the home of Sicily's sole DOCG (Italy's strictest form of wine certification), known as Cersuolo di Vittoria. Cerasuolo is an enlightened blend of Frappato and Nero d'Avola, and the two grapes when blended melt into each other in a harmonious symphony of flavor and texture. I fell in love with the wine and its medium-bodied, sensual, seductive personality. Then I discovered the Portelli family, Salvatore and his son Alessandro, and have been duly impressed with their mastery of these fine examples of southern Sicilian charm. Their wines are fresh, and joyful to drink, all while being faithful representatives of their native land. Welcome to a new KLWM standard.
About The Region
Sicily
Italy’s southernmost region and the largest island in the Mediterranean, Sicily has no shortage of sunshine to grow high-quality grapes on a yearly basis. It also does not lack a history of winemaking: since the Greeks settled here almost three millennia ago, the vine has played a major role in the island’s agricultural makeup. Production of cheap bulk wine for blending dominated much of its recent history until now, as we are witnessing a quality revolution that puts forth its great diversity and quality of terroirs, indigenous grape varieties, and local production methods.
While Sicily’s historical reputation is for sweet wines—Marsala and the Muscats of Pantelleria stand out—a number of dry whites and reds are enjoying the spotlight today. The cooler, high-altitude slopes of Etna, with its ashy volcanic soils, have seen an explosion of activity from producers both local and foreign; both whites (primarily from Carricante) and reds (Nerello Mascalese) here are capable of uncommon freshness and finesse. Other noteworthy wine regions are Eloro, where Nero d’Avola gives its best; Noto, an oasis of dry and sweet Moscatos; Vittoria, with its supple, perfumed Frappatos; and Salina, where Malvasia makes thirst-quenching dry whites and deliciously succulent passiti.
Countless foreign invasions over the centuries have given Sicilian architecture and cuisine a unique exotic twist, making it a fascinating destination for gourmands as well as wine importers. With a wealth of dedicated artisans proud to show off the riches of their land, you can bet there are many exciting things still to come from this incredible island.
More from Sicily or Italy
2022 Terre Siciliane Bianco “Marzaiolo”
Riofavara Italy | Sicily
2019 Cerasuolo di Vittoria
Portelli Italy | Sicily
2022 Olio Extra Vergine di Oliva
Riofavara Italy | Sicily
2020 Etna Rosso “Crasà Contrada”
Vigneti Vecchio Italy | Sicily
2021 Terre Siciliane Bianco “Marzaiolo”
Riofavara Italy | Sicily
2022 Sicilia Noto Bianco “Mizzica”
Riofavara Italy | Sicily
2019 Eloro Nero d’Avola “Sciavè”
Riofavara Italy | Sicily
2020 Vino Bianco “Caravan Petrol”
Masseria del Pino Italy | Sicily
2020 Sicilia Noto Bianco “Mizzica”
Riofavara Italy | Sicily
2022 Olio Extravergine di Oliva Biologica
Grottafumata Italy | Sicily
2020 Vittoria Frappato
Portelli | Sicily
2019 Terre Siciliane Bianco “Lato Sud”
Grottafumata Italy | Sicily
2022 Terre Siciliane Bianco “Marzaiolo”
Riofavara Italy | Sicily
2019 Cerasuolo di Vittoria
Portelli Italy | Sicily
2022 Olio Extra Vergine di Oliva
Riofavara Italy | Sicily
2020 Etna Rosso “Crasà Contrada”
Vigneti Vecchio Italy | Sicily
2021 Terre Siciliane Bianco “Marzaiolo”
Riofavara Italy | Sicily
2022 Sicilia Noto Bianco “Mizzica”
Riofavara Italy | Sicily
2019 Eloro Nero d’Avola “Sciavè”
Riofavara Italy | Sicily
2020 Vino Bianco “Caravan Petrol”
Masseria del Pino Italy | Sicily
2020 Sicilia Noto Bianco “Mizzica”
Riofavara Italy | Sicily
2022 Olio Extravergine di Oliva Biologica
Grottafumata Italy | Sicily
2020 Vittoria Frappato
Portelli | Sicily
2019 Terre Siciliane Bianco “Lato Sud”
Grottafumata Italy | Sicily
Kermit once said...
Kermit once said...
When buying red Burgundy, I think we should remember:
1. Big wines do not age better than light wine.
2. A so-called great vintage at the outset does not guarantee a great vintage for the duration.
3. A so-called off vintage at the outset does not mean the wines do not have a brilliant future ahead of them.
4. Red Burgundy should not taste like Guigal Côte-Rôtie, even if most wine writers wish it would.
5. Don’t follow leaders; watch yer parking meters.
Inspiring Thirst, page 174