In the glass
Aroma: sour cherry, wild strawberry, dried violet, iron
Palate: red cherry, dried herbs, light tannin, earthy mineral
Sicily's most celebrated DOCG in its defining expression: Nero d'Avola structure lifted by Frappato's sour-cherry acidity, earthy-mineral finish from Vittoria clay-limestone soils.
What it pairs with
-
Arancini al ragu
The wine's bright acidity and red-fruit cut through the rich rice and meat filling. -
Grilled pork sausage with fennel
Frappato's herbal freshness complements fennel; Nero d'Avola's grip holds the fat. -
Rabbit alla cacciatora
Light game meat matches the wine's earthy red-fruit register perfectly.
How to serve COS Cerasuolo di Vittoria Classico DOCG
Allow 65 minutes from open to pour.
- Open and decant. Open 60 minutes before serving and pour into a decanter to aerate.
- Serve at 14-16°C. Cellar temperature (14-16°C) is the band for this style. Warmer pushes alcohol forward; colder dampens aromatics.
- Glassware. Use a Burgundy bowl with a wide opening: the bowl shape rewards the wine's structure.
- Pair with. Arancini al ragu, Grilled pork sausage with fennel, Rabbit alla cacciatora. Match the wine's structure to the dish's fat and salt.
History
COS was founded in 1980 by three school friends at Vittoria and began producing Cerasuolo di Vittoria DOCG from the start. The winery shifted to biodynamic farming in the early 2000s and pioneered amphora vinification on the island, but the Cerasuolo Classico has always been their flagship DOCG expression.
- 1980 — COS founded; first Cerasuolo di Vittoria produced
- 2001 — Biodynamic conversion begins across the estate
- 2005 — Cerasuolo di Vittoria granted DOCG status in 2005, still the only DOCG in Sicily
Facts
- Producer
- COS
- Grapes
- Nero d'Avola (60%), Frappato (40%)
- Classification
- Cerasuolo di Vittoria DOCG
- Oak
- Aged in large Slavonian oak casks, 12-14 months
- ABV
- 13.5%
- Price
- EUR 22-32 at retail
- Drinking window
- 3-12 from vintage
- First vintage
- 1980
- Biodynamic
- Biodynamic Practicing
- Organic
- ORGANIC CERTIFIED
Frequently asked about COS Cerasuolo di Vittoria Classico DOCG
What does COS Cerasuolo di Vittoria Classico DOCG taste like?
On the nose, sour cherry, wild strawberry, dried violet, iron. On the palate, red cherry, dried herbs, light tannin, earthy mineral. Structurally medium-bodied, medium tannins, high acidity with a medium-long, savoury finish. Sicily's most celebrated DOCG in its defining expression: Nero d'Avola structure lifted by Frappato's sour-cherry acidity, earthy-mineral finish from Vittoria clay-limestone soils.
When should I drink COS Cerasuolo di Vittoria Classico DOCG?
Drink 3-12 from vintage. Young vintages benefit from 30-90 minutes of decanting; mature bottles should be handled carefully for sediment.
What food pairs with COS Cerasuolo di Vittoria Classico DOCG?
Arancini al ragu is the canonical pairing. Other strong matches include Grilled pork sausage with fennel and Rabbit alla cacciatora. The wine's bright acidity and red-fruit cut through the rich rice and meat filling.
What grapes are in COS Cerasuolo di Vittoria Classico DOCG?
The blend is Nero d'Avola (60%), Frappato (40%). The wine is classified as Cerasuolo di Vittoria DOCG.