black wines?

Recently i was introduced to some "black wines", or so roughly translated. These wines were literally pitch black and very tasty. The problem? I cannot remember what they were! I know they were not Chianti or Pinot Noir.... Please someone help.

Cahors was traditionally called 'black wine'.

Cahors was traditionally called 'black wine'.

Yes, it was most probably Cahors, from where the Malbec grape originates. "Black Wine" is being used as a marketing slogan; not a very good one, IMO. There is also a Cahors producer, Triguedina, who produces an expensive Cahors named "New Black Wine" made by the "traditional" method which involved heating some of the grapes; having had some I can understand why the method fell out of use.

Thanks, I will definitely have check on that. A friend told me they were probably Sardinian or Sicilian but his knowledge I have to question for numerous reasons.

Thanks, I will definitely have check on that. A friend told me they were probably Sardinian or Sicilian but his knowledge I have to question for numerous reasons.

The principal red grape of Sicily is Nero d'Avola, Italian for "Black of Avola." Is that perhaps what you had?

Mark Lipton

I do believe it was Nero d'Avola. I had some scribblings which had the identity but they were lost in transit. I've been searching and also came across Nieddera... I do believe it was one of the two. Cahors, Nero, and Nieddera. I suppose i'll just have to try them all again.

I suppose i'll just have to try them all again.

That's the spirit!

You might add Madiran to your list; it's the Other Black Wine of France.

Could be a Salice Salentino (grape: Negroamaro) Wine area Apulien. There's a grape on Korsika as well as far as I can remember its called Tannat. Not sure though

Worth keeping in mind that one of the major grapes of Cahors is Tannat and that yields a wine so close-to-black, deep, concentrated and intense that it has given Madiran the name "the Heart of Darkness".

Intesting experiments with Tannat in Israel at this time. Results to be posted later.....

Best...
Rogov

Thanks, I will definitely have check on that. A friend told me they were probably Sardinian or Sicilian but his knowledge I have to question for numerous reasons.

The principal red grape of Sicily is Nero d'Avola, Italian for "Black of Avola." Is that perhaps what you had?

Mark Lipton

IMO Nerello Mascalese grown on Etna gives even finer wines with real finesse; but from memory not particularly dark in colour.