Martha Stouman's 2018 Nero d'Avola

The first wine I wanted to share with you all is a Nero d’Avola from the fabulous Martha Stoumen out of Mendocino County. First off, Martha Stouman is a badass and is highly revered in the low-intervention winemaking world. Stouman studied agricultural systems in college, went on to study at a vineyard in Tuscany and landed in Mendocino County in Sonoma, CA. Always terroir-driven and made with natural yeasts and minimal intervention, Stouman’s wines never disappoint and are always a crowd-pleaser.

I bought the Nero d’Avola a couple months ago from Bufalina Wine. Nero d’Avola is a surprising grape to me in that… I love it! I’d describe my wine tastes as somewhat basic in that I of course love chuggable, chillable reds. 

Nero d’Avola is definitely more medium bodied and typically pretty drying with medium to heavy tannins, yet I enjoy every damn sip. Stouman’s was no exception. Bursting with berry flavors yet a tad… smoky and forestr-y? Perfect amount of acidity with legit any tomato-y Italian food and to cut through a hearty steak. There was definitely a little something extra going on here and it was a damn delight. I’ve been saving this bottle for a while and thought the ice apocalypse amidst a global pandemic was the best and really only time to open it!!! Not only did it warm me from the inside out but got me just the right amount of buzzed with its 13.5% ABV to make my homemade black bean burgers taste like a grass-fed steak. This is likely sold out in most places in Austin, but jump on it next time it comes out for sale!!

Varietal: Nero d’Avola | Region: Mendocino County, CA | Year: 2018 | Price: ~$40 | Retailer: Bufalina Wine 

What's in my Fridge

What’s in my fridge?! This is a fun little series I am starting up where I write about a wine that’s in my fridge once a week. At the rate I am consuming wine I should have started this long ago, but alas here we are! From the many wine classes I’ve taken this year, books I’ve read and my new role at Saba San’s -- our house is downing wine at an embarrassingly fast rate. In my defense it’s for my career! It’s my passion, it’s educational!! 

Typically I write a little tidbit about every wine I drink just to help me remember the producer, what I loved or felt was off about the wine and to just practice writing about wine in general. Now I want to share some of these tidbits with you! I’ll also share where I bought the wine, the price range and all that good stuff in case you feel inclined to snatch up a bottle yourself!