Profile

Structure

Bodymedium
Tanninmedium
Acidityhigh
Sweetnessdry
Oaklarge or old casks

Drinking window

Best 3 to 12 years from vintage.

vintage3 yrs12 yrs14 yrs

Critic scores

No critic score is published for this bottle that we can cite with a reviewer, a vintage and a review year, so none is shown. The rating above is our own.

In the glass

Medium-bodiedMedium tanninHigh acidityDryMedium-Long, Savoury finish

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

With cheese

Ragusano Our pick The Ragusano consortium's page on use suggests Cerasuolo di Vittoria DOCG among the reds that pair well with the cheese. The wine's red cherry and high acidity suit a table-aged wheel, and both come from south-eastern Sicily.

How to serve COS Cerasuolo di Vittoria Classico DOCG

Allow 65 minutes from open to pour.

  1. Open and decant. Open 60 minutes before serving and pour into a decanter to aerate.
  2. Serve at 14-16°C. Cellar temperature (14-16°C) is the band for this style. Warmer pushes alcohol forward; colder dampens aromatics.
  3. Glassware. Use a Burgundy bowl with a wide opening: the bowl shape rewards the wine's structure.
  4. 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.

  1. 1980COS founded; first Cerasuolo di Vittoria produced
  2. 2001Biodynamic conversion begins across the estate
  3. 2005Cerasuolo di Vittoria granted DOCG status in 2005, still the only DOCG in Sicily

Facts

Producer
COS · visiting guide
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.

Tags

biodynamic dry frappato high acid iconic medium body medium tannin medium term mood rustic mood savoury nero d avola occasion dinner party occasion weeknight old world organic pairs with pasta red sauce pairs with pork pairs with poultry price trade up single vineyard still red

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