Nero d'Avola

Nero d'Avola (also known as Calabrese) is the most important and widely planted red wine grape variety in Sicily. Vast volumes of Nero d'Avola are produced on the island every year, and have been for centuries. The dark-skinned grape is of great historical importance to Sicily and takes its present-day name from the town of Avola on the island's southeast coast. The area was a hotbed of trade and population movement during the Middle Ages and Nero d'Avola was frequently used to add color and body to lesser wines in mainland Italy.

Food matches for Nero d'Avola include:

• Chicken salad with pomegranate, pinenuts and raisins (rosé)
• Caramelized barbecued pork patties (bun cha)
• Charcoal-grilled rump steak