# Terre Argillose

- **Producer:** Marabino
- **Colour:** red
- **Type:** still
- **Grapes:** Nero d'Avola
- **Region:** Calabria, Italy
- **Style:** Natural
- **Average price:** €24
- **Contains sulphites:** Yes
- **When to drink:** Now or Later
- **Serving temperature:** 16–18 °C
- **Aromas & flavours:** sour cherry, red cherry, black pepper, thyme

## About this wine

Terre Argillose is a red wine from Marabino, produced in Terre Siciliane, Sicily. It is made from 100% Nero d'Avola grapes grown in the Val di Noto sub-region, specifically in Contrada Buonivini. The wine is named for its distinctive clay soils, which the producer states contribute to a dense and powerful texture with significant richness. Marabino is a biodynamic estate committed to working in harmony with nature, cultivating their own grapes without external sourcing. The winery was founded in 2002 and has been practicing biodynamics since 2008, focusing on traditional grape varieties and minimal intervention.

## Interesting facts

- The wine's name, 'Terre Argillose', literally translates to 'Clay Soils'.
- Vineyards are farmed using biodynamic preparations 500 and 501.
- Grapes are trained using both traditional 'alberello' and spurred cordon methods.
- The estate is certified biodynamic.

## Food pairing

The wine's medium+ tannins and pronounced intensity are well-suited to complement the proteins and fats in rich meat dishes. The herbal notes in the wine can echo herbs used in cooking, while the dark fruit character can harmonize with fruit-based sauces.

## Wine making process

Terre Argillose is produced using spontaneous fermentation with indigenous yeasts in stainless steel tanks, followed by a long maceration period with the grape skins. The wine is then aged for 24 months, including 12 months in stainless steel and 12 months in bottle. Grapes are hand-harvested from vineyards trained using both bilateral spurred cordon and traditional 'alberello impupato' methods. The estate is certified biodynamic, employing practices that avoid synthetic chemicals and fertilizers, instead using biodynamic preparations and natural amendments.