DONNAFUGATA `Sherazade` IGT Sicilia 2009 The Rallo family has made wine in historic Marsala since 1851, and their ancient cellars tunnel beneath the city. They were one of the first families to begin making high quality table wine when sales of traditional sweet Marsala started to decline, launching the Donnafugata label in 1983, and championing some of the more obscure regional Italian grape varieties. Today, they have two estates in Sicily: a modern winery and 260 hectares at Contessa Entellina in the hills east of Marsala; and 68 hectares on the island of Pantelleria. Donnafugata means .fleeing woman. - a reference to Queen Maria Carolina who escaped the court of Naples in the early 19th century with her husband Ferdinand IV of Bourbon when Napoleon.s troops arrived. The couple took refuge in Sicily at Santa Margherita Belice palace, also the favourite residence of celebrated writer Giuseppe Tomasi di Lampedusa and depicted on the .Mille e Una Notte. label. The name of this wine derives from .Scheherazade., the legendary Persian queen, main protagonist and storyteller of .A Thousand and One Nights.. From the 2009 vintage, Sherazade is now made solely from Nero d.Avola grapes planted at approximately 5,000 vines per hectare, trained using a counter espalier system and spur pruned. Autumn and winter rainfall was above seasonal averages. Slightly delayed budding and blossoming took place in April and May. In June the vines were trimmed to facilitate the growth of new leaves that would be physiologically active in the final stages of grape ripening. Summer temperatures were a bit higher than usual but there were big temperature changes between day and night, aiding the vineyards. vine/grape growth balance, preventing stress from summer heat and at night allowing what was photosynthesized during the day to be transferred from the vine leaves to the grapes. Harvest for the Nero d‘Avola took place in early September. After gentle pressing, the must was fermented in temperature controlled stainless steel tanks with a ten day maceration on the skins at 26-28°C where it remained for two months before bottling. It spent almost three months in bottle before release. Deep ruby red in colour this wine is vibrant on the nose with black fruit, balsamic and mineral tones. Exuberant flavours of blackberries and sour cherries along with a touch of sweet cocoa abound on the palate which is rounded and youthful, perfect for drinking young and even slightly chilled. Vintage 2009 Grape varieties 100% Nero d‘Avola Region Marsala Winemaker Stefano Valla Consultant Winemaker Antonio Rallo Closure Cork Alcohol (ABV) 12.5% Acidity 5.62g/l Residual Sugar 4.8g/l Wine pH 3.45 Find this wine at www.winestore.co.uk Price: £68.70 (Including VAT at 20%)