Wine and Dine Sicilian Style!

Donnafugata Floramundi Cerasuolo di Vittoria DOCG 2020

Donnafugata has five estates throughout Sicily, with one in Vittoria located in southeastern Sicily. It is in this special region where Cerasuolo di Vittoria DOCG is produced. It is considered one of the most noteworthy wines produced in Sicily and the only wine in Sicily with a DOCG status! The indigenous grapes Nero d’Avola and Frappato are the only varieties allowed in the blend.

Nose: Intense floral aromas envelop the senses with notes of violet, cherry, red berries, and spice that segue onto the palate.  
Palate: This is a fresh and juicy wine with personality. Hints of rose, strawberry, and spice linger on the finish. Soft tannins and a crisp finish add to the entertainment. 
Alcohol:  13%
SRP:  $30
Pairing suggestions: Mature cheese, risotto, seared tuna, and calamari.

Donnafugata suggests pairing the following recipe with Floramundi.

Swordfish with Citrus Fruit and Pistachios

Time:
20 minutes

Difficulty:
Intermediate

Ingredients for four servings:

• 4 swordfish steaks, about 200 g (7 oz) each
• 1 bunch of wild fennel, 2 cloves of garlic
• 1 chili pepper
• a handful of sultana raisins, another of pistachios
• orange juice and rind
• juice of one lemon
• 1 glass of white wine
• 0-type flour, butter
  
• Instructions

Flour the swordfish steaks. In a slightly buttered pan, sauté the garlic and chili pepper. As soon as the garlic browns, remove it. Add the floured fish and sauté. Then add the white wine, sultana raisins, wild fennel, and minced orange peel. As soon as the wine evaporates, add the orange and lemon juice and a pinch of crushed pistachios. Cover and continue cooking, if necessary, adding citrus juice.

Serve with the reduced sauce and a handful of pistachios covering the fish, garnishing the platter with two orange slices.

For more information about Cerasuolo di Vittoria DOCG wines, read my latest article on Santé Magazine.

Cheers!
Penny