Controdanza, from ‘country dance’, is a traditional rural dance where the dancers move elegantly in a pattern of opposition and agreement. This is what we thought of when combining Nero d’Avola and a small amount of Merlot, cultivated in the white lands of Noto. It is not a conventional blend, with everything based on contrast rather than similarity. It was created as a classic ‘second wine’ from the vines that do not attain the achievements of Santa Cecilia, even though they grow in the valleys surrounding the Buonivini winery. These are the lowest areas of the valleys, where the fruit wins over the typical balsamicity of Nero d’Avola on Noto’s lime soils.
Controdanza
denomination
Noto D.O.C.
Variety
100% Nero d’Avola
Location
Noto (SR)
Vineyard
Buonivini
First vintage
2016
Details
TYPE OF SOIL
Soils composed of lime marl, abundant structure of small size; fine textured with small amounts of light-coloured chalk.
ALTITUDE
40-70 metres above sea level.
TRAINING SYSTEM
Espalier with spurred cordon and Guyot pruning systems.
METHOD OF CULTIVATION
According to the criteria of organic agriculture and SOStain® protocol; ground cover with beans, vetch and wild flowers to increase organic matter and nitrogen content to augment the vitality of the soil’s microfauna; plant health protected with small quantities of sulphur and copper; defence against phytophages with useful insects, sexual confusion and application of natural restoratives such as zeolite, kaolin and plant-based extracts.
Tasting Notes
typical characteristics of Nero d’Avola di Noto but grown in slightly less limey soils; with aromas of jasmine and prune together with balsamic notes, of bay, incense, Mediterranean macchia and goudron, balanced and rendered lively by the addition of an exuberant Merlot produced on the same lime soil. The wood comes second, well covered by the fruit. Spicey and acidic notes are always adequately present on the palate, though well softened by the alcohol and balanced with tannins.