It is named after Avola in the far south of Sicily, and its wines are compared to New World Shirazes, with sweet tannins and plum or peppery flavours.

Nero d'Avola is also known as Calabrese by Sicilians, "particularly older ones",[5] as well as by the Italian National Registry of Vine Varieties.

"There has been speculation that Calabrese is an indication of Calabrian origin, but it is widely accepted as an Italianization of the old dialect name Calavrisi ... which means "grape from Avola.

The districts around Noto (above all Buonivini) and Pachino in the south of the province of Siracusa are reputed for the quality of their Nero d'Avola wines.

Nero d'Avola is also cultivated in Australia, particularly in the hot Riverland and Sunraysia areas where winemakers are producing light, juicy, fragrant wines.