25 Aug 2023
Bird in Hand, renowned globally for its artisan wines, has released the 2022 Nero d’Avola as part of the ongoing ‘Italian Series’ – a limited collection of premium-quality wine varietals crafted from the finest parcels of Adelaide Hills fruit. The Nero d’Avola – a vivacious, medium-bodied red – possesses the potential to age gracefully while offering approachable, ready-to-enjoy qualities.
One of the first producers in Australia to make this variety, beginning in 2011, Bird in Hand’s 2022 Nero d’Avola has evolved to an elegant contemporary style through meticulous fruit selection and modern winemaking techniques that puts purity of produce at the forefront. Fruit from the McLaren Vale region of South Australia provides depth of flavour and weight that complements the bright and delicate Adelaide Hills component.
For the 2022 Nero d’Avola, a combination of winemaking techniques was used to develop a complex flavour profile. Different fruit batches underwent partial and full crushing, with some including whole bunches. Maturation for up to nine months in concrete egg-shaped and large format barrels imparted weight, texture and subtle spice to the natural fruit characters.
On the palate, the wine is medium bodied with wonderful fruit weight and intensity. It is best consumed young or savoured at its apex over the next four to five years, pairing beautifully with red meats or a traditional red pasta – a throwback to how it was enjoyed in its namesake birthplace, Avola in Sicily’s south.
Bird in Hand strives to incorporate creativity and the arts into its winemaking by regularly joining forces with artists, designers, tastemakers and cultural pioneers in Australia and overseas to dream up unique products and impactful experiences. Honouring this ethos with rings of eye-catching colour, the slender ‘Italian Series’ bottle was designed in collaboration with acclaimed Australian fashion designer Dion Lee.
