Nero d’Avola

Nero d'Avola is "the most important red wine grape in Sicily" and is one of Italy's most important indigenous varieties. It is named after Avola in the far south of Sicily, and its wines are compared to New World Shirazes, with sweet tannins and plum or peppery flavours. It also contributes to Marsala Rubino blends. "The Black Grape of Avola" appears to have been selected by growers near Avola (a small town in south east Sicily) several hundred years ago. Initially, it was confined to the southern tip of the island, but more recently has spread throughout the island. Nero d'Avola is also known as Calabrese by Sicilians, "particularly older ones", as well as by the Italian National Registry of Vine Varieties. "There has been speculation that Calabrese is an indication of Calabrian origin, but it is widely accepted as an Italianization of the old dialect name Calavrisi ... which means "grape from Avola.""

Source: Wikipedia