COS Cerasuolo di Vittoria Classico 2022

COS was founded by three friends in the town of Vittoria in south-eastern Sicily and is a leading name in the island's natural wine movement. Cerasuolo di Vittoria is Sicily's only DOCG, a blend of Nero d'Avola for structure and Frappato for perfume and lift. The vines grow on free-draining sand over limestone, which keeps the wine fresh and aromatic, while the warm coastal climate ripens the fruit fully and the sea breeze preserves acidity. Farming is biodynamic and the wine ages in large Slavonian oak casks, where the neutral wood allows slow, gentle oxygen exchange without adding obvious oak flavour, so the focus stays on bright fruit. The colour is a light, luminous cherry red, which gives the wine its name. The nose is floral and fresh, with red cherry, raspberry and red currant over rose, dried herbs and a lick of black pepper. The palate is medium bodied, with crisp acidity, fine tannin and an earthy, savoury finish. Serve at 15 to 16 degrees, lightly chilled if you like, in a Burgundy glass. It works with herb-roasted chicken and tomato-based pasta.