Cantine Barbera 'Lu Còri' Menfi DOC Nero d'Avola 2023

Lu Còri (Sicilian dialect for “the heart”) is Cantine Barbera’s bright, soulful take on Nero d’Avola—fresh, fragrant, and unmistakably coastal. The 2023 opens with marine lift and juicy berry fruit (mulberry, raspberry, cherry), followed by savory herbal notes, light spice, and that signature saline edge that makes it so food-friendly. It’s full of flavor but never heavy, with soft, velvety tannins and a clean, refreshing finish.

Quick Facts

• Region: Sicily, Italy

• Appellation: Menfi DOC

• Producer: Cantine Barbera (Marilena Barbera)

• Vintage: 2023

• Grape: 100% Nero d’Avola

• Farming: Organic

• Fermentation: Spontaneous (native yeast)

• Skin Contact: ~6 days

• Aging/Elevage: Refining on fine lees in stainless steel, plus time in large neutral Slavonian oak casks

• Alcohol: 12.5% ABV

• Style: Dry, juicy, coastal-leaning red with soft tannins (great slightly chilled)

Tasting Profile

• Body: Medium, juicy

• Acidity: Fresh and mouthwatering

• Primary fruit: Mulberry, raspberry, cherry

• Savory & spice: Pickle/fermented savory notes, light spice, savory herbs

• Coastal character: Sea-breeze salinity / “marine” lift

• Tannin: Soft, velvety, easygoing

• Finish: Clean, vibrant, Mediterranean

Why We Love It

This is one of those bottles that makes people say, “Wait—this is Nero d’Avola?” It’s not the heavy, jammy version. Lu Còri is fresher, saltier, and more playful—an ideal red for pizza night, pasta, and casual dinners, with enough character to still feel special. Plus, that label absolutely pops for seasonal merchandising.

Winemaking

Grapes are harvested at the end of August for bright fruit and phenolic ripeness, then fermented spontaneously with about a week of skin contact to build flavor without hard tannin. The wine refines on fine lees in stainless steel for freshness and purity, then spends additional time in large neutral Slavonian oak casks for gentle texture and polish—no tricks, no frills, just wine.

Serving & Pairing

Serve at 55–60°F (or give it a 15–20 minute chill).

Great pairings:

• Pizza (any topping—seriously)

• Pasta with tomato-based sauces

• Eggplant parm, caponata, or roasted peppers

• Grilled sausages, burgers, and weeknight red-meat dishes

• Mediterranean plates (olives, anchovies, herbs)

Estate Overview

Cantine Barbera is a coastal Sicilian estate based in Menfi, led by Marilena Barbera, known for organic farming and an expressive, terroir-first style that captures Menfi’s sea-and-wind freshness. The winery champions biodiversity-minded viticulture and a transparent approach in the cellar, producing wines that feel energetic, honest, and unmistakably Mediterranean.