By Aaroncino
Every time I see a bottle of Cusumano Nero d’Avola, I think of a YouTube wine review from more than 15 years ago.
It was not a new video. It was not trending. But it stuck with me, not because of production value or influencer polish, but because it was real, surprising, and still speaks to what wine should be today. The video?
Hip hop legend Sadat X from Brand Nubian reviewing a bottle of Nero d’Avola on his channel True Wine Connoisseurs.
And here’s what blew my mind: Fifteen years ago, Sadat X said Nero d’Avola more authentically than many wine professionals still do today.
Watch the Sadat X Nero d’Avola review
Real Wine Culture Without Gatekeeping
This was during a time when even wine professionals often got Sicilian grape names wrong. And here comes a Bronx rapper, giving a Sicilian wine the respect it deserves. That small moment said a lot.
The wine world, for all its talk of being welcoming, has a long history of gatekeeping. Pronunciations, pedigrees, and passport stamps often turn into barriers. Sadat X did not ask for permission to step into the space. He just walked in and owned it.
The guy in a hoodie and fitted cap had a better handle on Sicilian wine pronunciation than half the people swirling glasses in Napa tasting rooms. That is funny, but it is also the point.
Nero d’Avola: The Wine That Wears Boots
Now let’s give Nero d’Avola its due.
This is Sicily’s flagship red wine. Bold, dark, a little dusty, and a little spicy. It is the kind of wine that makes sense after a long day under the sun or a long night in the booth. It has street smarts and old-world swagger.
Cusumano’s Nero d’Avola is polished but still has enough grit to feel honest. It is not Bordeaux dressed up in a Sicilian costume. It is Nero, full stop. And in a way, Sadat X was the perfect person to talk about it.
Did Sadat X Ever Make It to Sicily?
Fifteen years later, I still wonder. Has Sadat X ever performed in Sicily? Does he have his own connection to Nero d’Avola beyond that one video?
Because the tone of that review had ease, respect, and clarity. It felt intentional, not like a gimmick. That matters, especially now when the wine industry is still chasing inclusivity and the faces in the front row all too often look the same.
This Is Who Wine Is For
That old review reminds me that wine does not need a dress code.
Wine does not belong only to Europe. It does not belong only to Master Sommeliers. It belongs to the curious, the passionate, and the people who show up with something to say, whether that is with a corkscrew or a microphone.
If you have taste, you have a seat at the table. And if you pronounce it “D’Av-oh-la,” you are already ahead of the game.
To Sadat X
If you ever read this, salute.
That old video left a mark. And maybe it is time to bring you back for another round. This time in Sicily, with a glass, a mic, and no gatekeepers in sight.
Aaroncino
Three Nero d’Avola Wines Worth Exploring
If Sadat X’s review sparked your curiosity, here are three more Nero d’Avola wines that deserve a place on your table, each one showing a different side of Sicilian wine culture.
1. Colosi Nero d’Avola (Sicilia DOC)
Straight-forward and delicious. Great value. Despite Colosi’s roots in the Aeolian Islands, this DOC Nero d’Avola is made in Milazzo, on Sicily’s north coast. Dark berries, warm spice, and a soft finish. Everyday drinker with real Sicilian soul.
2. Purato Nero d’Avola by Santa Tresa (Sicilia DOC)
Certified organic, vegan, and sustainable. Juicy dark cherry, soft tannins, and a whisper of earthiness. The packaging is eco-friendly, but the wine is what keeps you coming back.
3. Tasca d’Almerita Nero d’Avola “Lamùri” (Sicilia DOC)
Elegant and expressive from the Regaleali estate in the high hills near Vallelunga Pratameno. “Lamùri” means “love” in Sicilian dialect, and the wine delivers—cherry, baking spice, and a graceful touch of oak.
Final Word
Nero d’Avola is Sicily in a glass. From rustic to refined, it always speaks with a Sicilian accent. And the more voices we allow into the conversation: rappers, chefs, shop owners, or just curious drinkers, the better the wine world becomes.
— Aaroncino
