The Benchmark Cerasuolo di Vittoria, COS
First, the name. COS is not a romantic Sicilian word, but an acronym. Derived from the last names of the three friends who founded the estate in 1980: Giambattista Cilia, Giusto Occhipinti, and Cirino Strano. What began as an ambitious project among young idealists in Vittoria has become one of Sicily’s most respected and forward thinking estates, and a benchmark. From the beginning, COS championed organic farming, native varieties, and fermentation in terracotta amphorae long before such practices became ‘Cool’ amongst the hipster Somm crowd.
Located in southeastern Sicily, near the town of Vittoria, COS helped elevate Cerasuolo di Vittoria DOCG, which isSicily’s only DOCG, into international prominence. The appellation is defined by its blend of Nero d’Avola (structure and depth) and Frappato (aromatic lift and finesse), and no one interprets that marriage more beautifully than COS.
The 2022 vintage is stunning.
In the glass, it glows with a translucent ruby hue. The aromatics are vivid and precise: wild strawberry, pomegranate, blood orange zest, crushed rose petals, and a whisper of Mediterranean herbs carried on warm sea air. On the palate, the magic reveals itself. There is a striking lightness, yet the wine is anything but thin. It expands across the mouth with layered red fruit, subtle earth, and a savory mineral core. Silky tannins frame the fruit without weight, and the finish is long, energetic, and mouth-filling.
This is the paradox that makes COS so compelling: a wine that feels featherlight but delivers profound flavor. It refreshes and satisfies in equal measure.One of my favorite food pairings is this wine and Peking Duck, ideally at Peach Farm in Boston’s Chinatown. I enjoyed that as my birthday meal several times in my 20s. I cannot recommend it strongly enough.
92 Points, Wine Advocate
A blend of 60% Nero d'Avola and 40% Frappato, the organic COS 2022 Cerasuolo di Vittoria Classico sees cement only to achieve a silky, mid-weight texture. Kicked off with a spontaneous fermentation, it reveals fresh aromas of wild strawberry, raspberry, almond, wild herb and crushed stone. The vineyards are characterized by sandy limestone soils that are unique to this part of Sicily.