Wine of the Week: 2006 Gulfi Nero d’Avola ‘Neroibleo’

2006 Gulfi Nero d’Avola “Neroibleo”

This time of year, I’m looking for a rich, full-bodied red at a good price, and this Nero d’Avola from Gulfi in Sicily fills the bill. The grape is one prized in Sicily, especially in the province of Ragusa (which is home, incidentally, to the irrepressible Inspector Salvo Montalbano of writer Andrea Camilleri’s detective series and site of the Italian television series based on Camilleri’s books.)

The name Neroibleo refers to nero, or black, grapes grown on the slopes of Mt. Iblea. Though the Gulfi estate in Chiaramonte Gulfi makes several wines from Nero d’Avola, the Neroibleo is a big step up from the estate’s basic red and the best value of the bunch.

It’s big without being overpowering, lush and redolent of dark berries and wild herbs. It has just the weight to go with brisket, bollito misto (mixed boiled meats), roasts and stews. But I can also see it with roasted root vegetables or a cheese plate.

— S. Irene Virbila

Region: Sicily, Italy

Price: From $14 to $19

Style: Rich and full-bodied

What it goes with: brisket, roasts and stews

Where to find it: Available at fine wine shop and retailers