Cerasuolo from the Heart by A.A. COS

Sicily’s Benchmark Red Blend

This exquisite red blend, crafted by the visionary team at COS, is a true testament to Sicily’s rich winemaking tradition. I’m a huge fan, and if you’ve had the wine, you probably are too. For years, I would take a bottle of this to Peach Farm in Chinatown to pair with their exceptional Peking Duck—a BYO gem worth seeking out.

Azienda Agricola COS, a pioneer in natural winemaking, has been at the forefront of Sicily’s modern wine revolution for decades. Their philosophy is simple: organically farmed vineyards and minimal intervention yield the most authentic wines. The 2021 Cerasuolo di Vittoria, made from native Nero d’Avola and Frappato, beautifully expresses the island’s volcanic soils and warm Mediterranean climate.

Founded in 1980 by Giambattista Cilia, Cirino Strano, and Giusto Occhipinti, the winery’s name—COS—comes from the initials of their surnames. From the start, COS has embraced low-intervention winemaking, with no added sulfur and a commitment to natural methods long before it became a global movement. Over the years, I often featured only COS on my restaurant’s Sicilian wine list, alternating between the Cerasuolo and Frappato depending on the season. No other Sicilian producer so perfectly marries history and modernity.

93 Points, Wine Enthusiast
“The nose is umami, fresh and saline, with aromas of terracotta, fennel, stones polished in saltwater, and wild cherries. On the palate, strawberries join sweet wild cherries, but that salinity endures, keeping the wine energetic and textured—anchored to the sea and the earth simultaneously.”

93 Points, James Suckling
“The aromas of nectarines jump out of the glass with lemon blossom and crushed stone. Medium body with integrated tannins that coat and caress the palate. Fine and delicious. From organically grown grapes. Really delicious now.”