Donnafugata - Sherazade Nero d'Avola - 2024
Terroir
The vineyards are at an altitude from 200 to 600m. (656- 1,312 ft); located on hilly clay loam soils with a sub-alkaline reaction (pH 7.5 to 7.9) rich in nutritive elements (potassium, magnesium, calcium, iron, manganese, zinc) and limestone content from 20 to 35%. Mild winters with little rainfall. Warm, dry, ventilated summers. Substantial difference between day and nighttime temperatures.
The vineyards are VSP (Vertical Shoot Positioning) trained with spurred cordon pruning, leaving 6 to 10 buds per plant. Planting density of about 5,000 plants per hectare, with yields of 7.5 - 8.5 tons/ha (3.0 - 3.4 tons/acres).
Harvest
In Contessa Entellina after two little rainy years, this year 743 mm of rainfall were recorded, a figure that is above the average * (667 mm) of this territory. Most of the rainfall was distributed in spring; only in some plots there have been heavy precipitations in the summer. The integrated management of agronomic practices, from pruning to thinning to the choice of different harvesting moments, inspired by an eco-sustainable viticulture, has allowed them to have healthy and well-ripened grapes. The Nero d’Avola destined for the production of Sherazade was harvested between the last week of August and the first week of September.
Vinification
In stainless steel with maceration on the skins for about 6-8 days at a temperature of 24-25 °C (75- 79°F). After malolactic fermentation, the wine fines for about 4 months in tanks and then for at least 3 months in the bottle.