Vento Di Mare means "wind from the sea" in Italian, which aptly captures the beautiful sunny island of Sicily. The largest island in the Mediterranean, Sicily has a rugged beauty shaped by volcanic eruptions and earthquakes, including the 1968 earthquake that damaged much of the island. In 1998, nine intrepid young winemakers banded together to form Cantine Ermes in the Belice Valley to create a wine co-op. Today it is the largest co-op in the region, and its focus is on producing organic wines in Sicily.  

While travel restrictions may prevent us from returning to Sicily, we were able to recall fond memories of spending time there by enjoying a glass or two, okay, the bottle, of Vento Di Mare Nero d'Avola. Delicious and organic, it is a perfect start to Spring!  

Vento Di Mare Nero d'Avola Organic Wine Information:
 

Tasting Notes: Vento Di Mare Nero d'Avola Organic Wine, 13.5% alcohol by volume, is made with 100% organic Nero d'Avola grapes, an important and indigenous grape varietal native to Italy. The Vento Di Mare Nero d'Avola is a dry red wine with a heady, aromatic nose and layers of black cherries, black plum, and dark berry fruit notes, with structured tannins to add balance to the wine.  

Pairing Suggestions: Drink on its own or pair with roasts, cheeses, and tomato-based recipes. We paired the Vento Di Mare Nero d'Avola with Luxury Experience - Caponata and Penne Rigate.  

Luxury Experience - Caponata and Penne Rigate 
Serves 4  

Sicily has an interesting history, and although it is a region of Italy and the largest island in the Mediterranean, it has had many influences, including Greek, Germanic, Spanish, Muslim, Norman. And Bourbon, which is reflected in the culture and the food.  

Our recipe, Luxury Experience - Caponata and Penne Rigate captures the rich flavors and multi-cultural tastes of Sicily with eggplant, green pepper, green olives, dried black olives, capers, garlic, tomatoes, rosemary, balsamic vinegar, The Trentasette Collection Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO), raisins soaked in Vento Di Mare Nero d'Avola, and garnished with toasted pignolia nuts (pine nuts) and pecorino cheese. Serve the caponata over penne rigate with a glass of in Vento Di Mare Nero d'Avola and take your taste buds on a trip to Sicily. The caponata is also nice to serve at room temperature on grilled bread brushed with EVOO and rubbed garlic for an antipasto. Buon Appetito! 

Luxury Experience - Caponata and Penne Rigate Ingredients

Method: Add the raisins and the wine to a small jar and set aside.  

Bring a large pot of water to a boil, add kosher salt and penne rigate and cook until al dente, or your preferred texture.  

In a large skillet, add olive oil, salt and pepper, and heat over medium heat. Add the green peppers and cook until almost tender, stirring occasionally so the peppers do not burn. Add the eggplant and garlic, adding additional olive oil as needed so the eggplant does not stick to the pan. Add the green and black olives, capers, and cook until the eggplant is cooked through. Add the tomatoes and their juice, and the balsamic vinegar, and cook until liquid is almost evaporated. Add the raisins and wine and stir to combine.  

Presentation: Serve family style or plate on 4 individual shallow bowls. Place the cooked penne rigate in the bottom of a large shallow bowl, top with a mound of the caponata, sprinkle with toasted pignolia nuts, and garnish with sprigs of fresh rosemary and shaved pecorino.  

Cantine Ermes portfolio of distinguished collection of organic wines include: Nerallo Mascalese, Nero d'Avola, Grillo, Pinot Grigio, and Pinot Noir.  

Information on Cantine Ermes 

"The story of Ermes's winery has its roots in a recent past of destruction and reconstruction. During the night between the 14th and the 15th of January 1968 a devastating earthquake wiped out part of the small towns in the Belice's valley such as: Gibellina, Salaparuta, Poggioreale, Partanna, Santa Ninfa, Salemi, Santa Margherita of Belice, Montevago and Sambuca of Sicilia. From that same land, where so much was taken away, a group of young grape growers decided to start over, embarking themselves onto a path of evolution."  

"In 1998 a social and economic redemption was accomplished by founding Ermes's winery, whose headquarters are located in the heart of Belice's Valley, between Gibellina and Santa Ninfa communes. Nowadays Ermes's winery is one of the most important producers of the whole Island, with its 2,355 members and around 10.000 hectares of vineyards located amongst Trapani, Agrigento, and Palermo's district. In these areas are grown with passion and sacrifices the best selection of indigenous and international varietals."  

For information on Cantine Ermes and purchasing their outstanding wines, please visit their website: www.cantineermes.it/en/ 

Cantine Ermes Soc Coop.
Contrada Salinella, 9
91029, Santa Ninfa TP
Italy
Telephone: +39-0824-67635
Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
Website: www.cantineermes.it/en
Facebook: www.facebook.com/cantineermes/?fref=ts 

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