COS was started in 1980 and is so called due to the initials of the surnames of the 3 founders – Giambattista Cilia, Giusto Occhipinti and Pinuccia Strano. The estate is based in the town of Vittoria in the Ragusa province of south east Sicily and was originally begun on a shoestring budget. Today, however, COS produces some of the finest wines on the island from native grape varieties such as Frappato, Nera d’Avola, Grecanico and Inzolia. Pithos Rosso is a blend of 40% Frappato and 60% Nero d’Avola and is fermented in terracotta Giare (amphorae) of between 250 – 400 litres. Plummy and intense, this makes an excellent wine for pork dishes.