Feudo Maccari Nere Nero d'Avola

Feudo Maccari Nere Nero d'Avola is a 100% Nero d'Avola red wine from southeastern Sicily, bottled at 750ml with approximately 13.5% ABV. Produced on the Moretti family estate near the ancient town of Noto, this bottling channels the sun-drenched terroir of one of Sicily's most celebrated viticultural zones into a focused, fruit-driven expression of the island's signature red grape.

Quick Facts: ABV: ~13.5%  |  Origin: Noto, Sicily, Italy  |  100% Nero d'Avola  |  Distillery: Feudo Maccari

Production & Heritage

Feudo Maccari sits in the Val di Noto, a sub-region in the province of Siracusa known for its limestone-rich soils and intense Mediterranean heat. The estate was acquired in 2000 by Antonio Moretti, the Tuscan entrepreneur who also owns Tenuta Sette Ponti in Arezzo. Moretti's vision was to elevate Nero d'Avola through careful site selection and modern winemaking, bringing the same quality-driven philosophy that defined his Tuscan projects. The Nere bottling — its name a nod to the "nero" (black) in the grape's identity — is vinified to preserve primary fruit character, with controlled-temperature fermentation and restrained oak influence to keep varietal purity at the forefront.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Dark cherry and ripe plum emerge first, followed by dried Mediterranean herbs and a subtle mineral undertone. A gentle whiff of black pepper and wild fennel adds aromatic complexity without overwhelming the fruit core.

Taste: The entry is juicy and fruit-forward, with black cherry and mulberry saturating the front palate. Mid-palate, the wine develops earthy depth — dried oregano, cocoa, and a touch of warm spice. Tannins are medium-bodied and smooth, providing structure without astringency.

Finish: Moderately long with lingering notes of dark fruit, soft leather, and a hint of espresso bitterness. The finish maintains freshness thanks to a thread of acidity that keeps the wine from feeling heavy.

How to Drink Nere Nero d'Avola

This wine drinks well at a slight chill — about 16–18°C (61–64°F) — which tempers the southern Sicilian warmth and sharpens the fruit. It rewards simple, unfussy service: pour into a standard Bordeaux glass and let it breathe for 15–20 minutes. The Nere also holds up well in cocktail-adjacent wine applications: try it in a classic Kalimotxo (red wine and cola over ice) for a casual summer drink; use it as the base for a bold red wine sangria with stone fruits and cinnamon, where its dark fruit intensity won't get lost; or incorporate it into a Mulled Wine during cooler months, where its spice notes harmonize naturally with star anise and clove.

Best For

• Weeknight Italian dinners featuring grilled sausage, eggplant parmigiana, or pasta al forno
• Introducing someone to Sicilian wine without an intimidating price tag
• Pairing with charcoal-grilled red meats at a backyard cookout
• Building a Sicilian wine flight alongside Nerello Mascalese and Grillo

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Nere Nero d'Avola taste like? It delivers ripe dark cherry, mulberry, and plum with undercurrents of dried herbs, cocoa, and soft spice, all framed by smooth, medium-weight tannins and balanced acidity.

How does Nere Nero d'Avola compare to Cusumano Nero d'Avola? Both are entry-level 100% Nero d'Avola bottlings from major Sicilian estates, but Feudo Maccari's southeastern Noto terroir tends to produce a slightly richer, darker-fruited profile compared to Cusumano's broader western Sicilian sourcing, which often yields a brighter, more lifted style.

Is Nere Nero d'Avola good for sipping neat? Yes — its fruit-forward personality and moderate tannin structure make it approachable on its own, especially with 15–20 minutes of air after opening.

Where is Nere Nero d'Avola made? It is produced at Feudo Maccari, located near Noto in the province of Siracusa, southeastern Sicily, an area renowned for its warm climate, limestone soils, and long viticultural tradition.

What foods pair well with Nere Nero d'Avola? Grilled lamb chops benefit from the wine's herbal notes; arancini with ragù echo its earthy richness; aged pecorino mirrors its savory depth; caponata plays off the fruit sweetness; and wood-fired pizza with soppressata stands up to its body and spice.

What sizes does Nere Nero d'Avola come in? The standard release is a 750ml bottle.

Is Nere Nero d'Avola worth the price? Feudo Maccari positions the Nere as an accessible, everyday Nero d'Avola that punches above its weight relative to other entry-level Sicilian reds — strong value for the quality of fruit and estate pedigree behind it.

Why Nere Nero d'Avola?

What separates this bottle from the sea of commercial Nero d'Avola is the specificity of its origin. Rather than blending fruit from scattered vineyards across Sicily's interior, Feudo Maccari draws from estate-grown grapes in one of the island's most historically significant growing areas near Noto. Antonio Moretti's track record at Sette Ponti — a producer that helped redefine Valdarno di Sopra — lends credibility to the project's ambition. The result is a Nero d'Avola that balances southern generosity with genuine varietal character, delivering honest Sicilian terroir without excessive extraction or oak.