In the glass
Aroma: ripe cherry, pepper, Mediterranean herbs, dark spice
Palate: dark red fruit, smooth tannin, warm spice, mineral
The estate red blends Nero d'Avola's dark fruit with Syrah's peppery spice, delivering a richer, more internationally styled Sicilian red with smooth tannin and warmth.
What it pairs with
-
Lamb spiedini with herbs
Nero d'Avola dark fruit and Syrah pepper are the classic companions for grilled herb-spiced lamb skewers. -
Rigatoni with eggplant and ricotta
Medium tannin and smooth body are well matched to baked pasta with aubergine. -
Aged pecorino siciliano
Warm dark fruit and spice pair comfortably with this island's most characteristic aged cheese.
How to serve Zisola
Allow 95 minutes from open to pour.
- Open and decant. Open 90 minutes before serving and pour into a decanter to aerate.
- Serve at 16-18°C. Cellar temperature (16-18°C) is the band for this style. Warmer pushes alcohol forward; colder dampens aromatics.
- Glassware. Use a large Bordeaux-style glass: the bowl shape rewards the wine's structure.
- Pair with. Lamb spiedini with herbs, Rigatoni with eggplant and ricotta, Aged pecorino siciliano. Match the wine's structure to the dish's fat and salt.
History
Zisola is the estate entry-level blend, producing a more accessible style than the Doppiozeta flagship by incorporating Syrah for a peppery-spice lift to the Nero d'Avola core.
- 2005 — First Zisola estate blend produced alongside Doppiozeta
Facts
- Producer
- Zisola (Mazzei)
- Grapes
- Nero d'Avola (80%), Syrah (20%)
- Classification
- Sicilia DOC
- Oak
- Aged in French barriques, 12 months
- ABV
- 14.0%
- Price
- EUR 18-26 at retail
- Drinking window
- 3-10 from vintage
- First vintage
- 2005
Frequently asked about Zisola
What does Zisola taste like?
On the nose, ripe cherry, pepper, Mediterranean herbs, dark spice. On the palate, dark red fruit, smooth tannin, warm spice, mineral. Structurally full-bodied, medium tannins, medium acidity with a warm, persistent finish. The estate red blends Nero d'Avola's dark fruit with Syrah's peppery spice, delivering a richer, more internationally styled Sicilian red with smooth tannin and warmth.
When should I drink Zisola?
Drink 3-10 from vintage. Young vintages benefit from 30-90 minutes of decanting; mature bottles should be handled carefully for sediment.
What food pairs with Zisola?
Lamb spiedini with herbs is the canonical pairing. Other strong matches include Rigatoni with eggplant and ricotta and Aged pecorino siciliano. Nero d'Avola dark fruit and Syrah pepper are the classic companions for grilled herb-spiced lamb skewers.
What grapes are in Zisola?
The blend is Nero d'Avola (80%), Syrah (20%). The wine is classified as Sicilia DOC.