Puglia -Wine
Apulia is the long and strict region if we see Italy as a boot, Apulia that goes from the spur, Gargano promontory, to the end of the heel, Salento peninsula in 280 miles.
The culture of olives and vines is the common denominator of the whole region (half of the Italian production of olive oil is from Apulia), the production of wines is famous for bodied red wines that thanks to the high performance, in terms of quantity, has led the region to assume the role of “reservoir” of wine, not only in Italy but also in Europe. For years, Apulian wine has been used in other wine areas to strengthen local wines, in terms of color, structure, and alcohol.
In the last 20 years, the situation has changed, the producers have started to devote themselves to the production of quality especially of the native grapes such as Negroamaro, Primitivo, and Uva di Troia, so much so that there are currently many young people with making small natural productions of sure interest.
In terms of terroir, Apulia has a formidable range of natural tools to promote the prolific growth of the vine. The warm Mediterranean climate, the persistent sun and the occasional sea breezes create an almost perfect environment for viticulture. The geology of the region shows a propensity for Cretaceous limestone under layers of iron-rich quaternary deposits.
There are three wine areas: Foggia in the north , Bari and Taranto in the center and Brindisi and Lecce in the south, here Apulia Wines Overwiev.
APULIA NORTH WINE AREA
In the province of Foggia, in the northern part of the region, the most common vines are the Sangiovese, Montepulciano, the Bombino Nero, the Trebbiano Toscano and the Bombino Bianco. We should not forget the autochthonous Nero di Troia, with which powerful, warm and enveloping wines are produced. The DOC of this area are San Severo and Cerignola.
Cantina Petrilli – Cacc’eMmitte di Lucera DOC “Agramante
Obtained with grapes grown from organic agriculture, it has balance and elegance and is striking for the thickness of its organoleptic texture. From Nero di troia and Bombino grapes it is left to mature for one year in steel, it becomes a full-bodied and enveloping wine, perfect for stewed game and mature cheeses.
Color: Intense ruby red at sight.
Nose: Elegant and precious, fruity hints of black cherry and black currant, followed by balsamic notes and light vanilla nuances.
Taste: Full, fleshy and persistent mouth.
Cantina d’Arapri – Spumante Metodo Classico Brut “Gran Cuvée”
It is an intense and complex sparkling wine, it is produced only in vintages that express grapes of particular quality. Grapes used Bombino Bianco, Pinot noir, Montepulciano, draft of foam on the lees in the bottle for 60 months, a great sparkling wine.
Color: Bright yellow with golden reflections, subtle and persistent pérlage.
Nose: Great elegance and complexity, with aromas of apricots, citrus fruits, honey and toasted notes.
Taste: Large, pleasantly creamy and very lively, with good acidity that best supports the structure of the wine.
APULIA CENTER WINE AREA
Nero di Troia finds its maximum expression in the province of Bari, where in the Riserva version it gives origin to the DOCG Castel del Monte Nero di Troia Riserva, together with the new DOCG Castel del Monte Rosso Riserva, Primitivo and Bombino Nero. Aglianico also knows how to express itself well in these areas, together with the most popular international vines. In the DOC Gravina, Locorotondo and Martinafranca, thick whites are then produced, using Verdeca, white d’Alessano and long white malvasia.
A special mention to Moscato Reale di Trani, a splendid sunny wine after a meal.
Cantina Rivera – Castel del Monte DOC Riserva Il Falcone
Complex, elegant and austere wine, Nero di Troia grape an autochthonous variety from the DOC Castel del Monte area, which gives it structure, character and elegance, combined with other local varieties that contribute to its harmony. Matured in French oak for at least 14 months and for a further year in the bottle, it goes well with red meats, game and mature cheeses. Great aging potential.
Color: Dense garnet red.
Nose: Complex bouquet of ripe red fruit, leather, tobacco and spices.
Taste: Rich, full, austere, very long and balanced palate.
Cantina Fatalone – Primitivo Riserva Gioia del Colle Vineyard of the Murgian hills at 365 meters. s.l.m. bred in Alberello Pugliese, organically grown. 100% Primitivo grape, wine of good intensity, structure and aromatic richness, aged in steel and large oak barrel. From the soft, harmonious and mineral profile emerge enveloping notes of ripe fruit and light toasted nuances.
Color: Ruby red, with intense purple tones.
Nose: Scent Characteristic of ripe fruit, light spicy and toasted.
Taste: Fresh and harmonious, soft and mineral with the typical almond aftertaste.
Cantina Torrevento – Moscato Reale di Trani DOC Dolce Naturale “Dulcis in Fundo”
Moscato is one of the oldest among the Apulian autochthonous vines, a variety par excellence of the Trani area. It is vinified sweet, it is soft, deeply aromatic, complex and rich. A great dessert wine, perfect at the end of the meal, ideal to combine with dry and leavened pastries, tarts, almond-based desserts.
Color: Straw yellow with golden reflections.
Nose: Intense aromatic bouquet. Notes of raisins, small pastry chefs, candied apricots.
Taste: Sweet, balanced, very long. Closes on hints of exotic fruit.
APULIA SOUTH WINE AREA
The “real” Apulia wines are located in the Salento peninsula, under the Brindisi-Taranto line, here the wines are obtained from almost unique vines in the area. From the Salento vineyards, full-bodied reds are produced from indigenous grapes, Negroamaro, Primitivo and Susumaniello, which are grown with the Apulian sapling system. This traditional technique guarantees a better life of the plant in conditions of severe drought.
In addition to the great aging reds, interesting dry whites such as verdeca, malvasia and natural sweet whites such as aleatico are grown.
Cosimo Taurino Patriglione – Salento IGP
It is the wine that started the revolution in 1975 that transformed Apulian wines from quantity wines to quality wines. Late harvest wine, produced only in the best vintages from 90% Negroamaro and 10% Black Malvasia grapes, is marketed six years after the harvest, to be drunk after long aging.
Color: Garnet, bright and of great consistency.
Nose: Mediterranean scrub, blackberries, plums and myrtle. Notes of resin, burnt earth, dark spices and walnut husk, elegant mineral background.
Taste: Agile and powerful, crossed by excellent freshness, well balanced in the finish by ripe and velvety tannins. Long persistence.
Rosa del Golfo – Rosato Salentino
It is the most iconic rosé wine in Italy, has a long history, produced with Negroamaro and Black Malvasia, first harvest in 1964, born thanks to the intuition of a winemaker who wanted a wine to accompany the dishes of fish. Even today, 50 years after its creation, it has the ability to find, over time, the appreciation of the new generations in the name of a modern quality viticulture linked to the territory.
Color: Bright and intense cherry pink.
Nose: Fragrant, rich and floral, with hints of rose petals, red flowers, strawberries and other small red fruits.
Taste: Soft, round, juicy and fruity, with good flavor and freshness, with very light tannins.
Masseria li Veli – Verdeca Valle d’Itria
The Verdeca grapes grown in the Itria Valley are harvested manually in wooden boxes in the mid-September period and are then vinified in steel at a controlled temperature. The wine finishes its preparation with a 3 month aging in steel and is then left to rest in the bottle.
Color: Bright yellow with green reflections.
Nose: Intense fruity, with hints of tropical fruit, green citrus fruits, Mediterranean scrub and fresh spices.
Taste: Harmonious, voluminous with good acidity. Fruity and spicy aftertaste.
Natalino del Prete – Aleatico IGT “Sorso Antico”
Aleatico del Salento, is a natural sweet wine to combine with desserts or cheeses, produced from grapes grown in organic farming, does not contain added sulphites and does not undergo nor clarification / filtration. Clean and deep, soft and sweet, both on the nose and on the palate.
Color: Ruby red, with soft violet reflections.
Nose: Ripe dark fruit and jam, blackberry, plum, black cherry and black currant.
Taste: Palate is balanced between freshness and alcohol, while persistence is long and sweet, but never cloying.