Puglia Wine

Red Grapes

Primitivo wines, known as Zinfandel in the U.S., are full/bodied red wines with a rich, fruity profile, often showcasing notes of dark berries, black cherry, and blackberry, complemented by hints of spice, vanilla, and occasionally chocolate.

Here’s a breakdown of Primitivo tasting notes:

Appearance:

• Deep ruby red with violet reflections, sometimes lighter and purplish.

Aroma:

• Fruit: Black cherry, blackberry, raspberry, plum, strawberry.
• Spices: Cinnamon, vanilla, black pepper, occasional exotic spices.
• Other: Chocolate, coffee, tobacco, occasionally licorice.
• Herbs: Juniper, oregano.

Palate:

• Flavor: Rich and fruity mix of dark and red fruits.
• Tannins: Medium to firm, smooth, velvety.
• Acidity: Medium to medium-plus acidity.
• Finish: Long and lingering.
• Structure: Full-bodied with good structure and persistence.

Other Characteristics:

• Alcohol: Often high.
• Oak Influence: American oak aging may add vanilla and tobacco.
• Food Pairings: Pairs well with roasted meats, grilled dishes, rich cheeses.

Negroamaro wines are renowned for their bold, dark fruit flavors such as black cherry, plum, and blackberry, complemented by a distinct herbaceous finish of dried thyme. They can also exhibit earthy notes like coffee, tobacco, and dark chocolate.

Here’s a concise breakdown of the tasting notes of Negroamaro wines:

Aromas:

• Dark Fruits: Black cherry, plum, blackberry, prune
• Herbaceous: Dried thyme, other herbs
• Spices: Allspice, clove, cinnamon, nutmeg
• Earthy: Coffee, tobacco, licorice, dark chocolate
• Other: Flint, olive, balsamic notes

Palate:

• Full-bodied with rich flavors
• Medium to full tannins
• Medium acidity
• Elevated alcohol levels
• Structured and balanced
• Long finish with a bitter almond aftertaste

Susumaniello wine, a red wine from Puglia, Italy, usually exhibits a deep ruby color and fragrances of red berries and plums. More robust versions often showcase spicy, peppery notes and flavors of dark chocolate.

Here is a more detailed breakdown of the characteristics:

Appearance:

The wine exhibits a deep ruby red color.

Aromas:

• Red berries and plums
• Spicy, peppery notes
• Dark chocolate
• Hints of licorice and cocoa
• Eucalyptus

Taste:

• Full-bodied yet not heavy
• Easy to drink
• Well-balanced alcohol percentage

Other characteristics:

• High acidity
• Smooth tannins
• Medium body and flavor intensity
• Medium(+) finish

Food pairings:

This wine pairs well with Bombette, a traditional Apulian dish.

Nero di Troia wines commonly showcase notes of dark fruits such as plum and cherry, accompanied by hints of violet, spice, and occasionally tobacco or leather. They are known for their full-bodied, velvety texture and well-balanced acidity.

Below is a comprehensive overview of the tasting notes:

Aromas:

• Dark Fruits: Commonly includes blackberry, plum, cherry, and blackcurrant.
• Floral Notes: Often present are violet and rose.
• Spices: Hints of black pepper, liquorice, and star anise can be detected.
• Other Notes: Occasionally, tobacco, leather, cocoa, and a touch of vanilla are noted.

Palate:

• Body: The wine is full-bodied with velvety tannins.
• Texture: Exhibits a round, soft, and velvety texture.
• Acidity: Features fresh and balanced acidity.
• Finish: Provides a long, smooth finish with lingering notes of cocoa and earthy undertones.

Appearance:

• Color: Displays a deep ruby red color with purple hues.

Food Pairings:

• Red Meats: Pairs excellently with hearty red meat dishes, such as roast lamb, beef, or stewed and braised veal.
• Cheese: Complements medium-aged cheese well.
• Other Dishes: Suitable for rich dishes like lasagna, pasta with ragout sauce, and fresh hand-made pasta with full-flavored sauces.

Malvasia Nera wines, which originate from Puglia, Italy, are renowned for their full-bodied, intense, and aromatic red profiles. They feature notes of ripe red fruits, spices, and hints of vanilla, often showcasing a smooth, balanced finish with flavors of cherry and plum.

Malvasia Nera Tasting Notes:

Appearance:

• Color: Intense ruby red with purple hues.

Aroma:

• Fruit: Complex bouquet of ripe cherries, blackberries, plums.
• Spices: Cinnamon, cloves, with hints of vanilla, chocolate, tobacco from wood aging.
• Floral: Violets.

Taste:

• Body: Full-bodied, soft, balanced; ripe cherries and plums prominent.
• Tannins: Smooth, velvety texture.
• Finish: Long, persistent, with dark chocolate and quinine notes.

Food Pairings:

• Pairs well with Mediterranean cuisine like red meats, lamb, aged cheeses, pizza, ricotta ravioli, salami, medium-aged pecorino cheese.

White Grapes

Verdeca wines, which come from Apulia, Italy, typically showcase a bright straw yellow color with greenish tints. They are renowned for their fresh, citrusy, and mineral-infused flavors, often featuring notes of green apple, pear, and white flowers.

Here is a comprehensive breakdown of Verdeca tasting notes:

Appearance:

• Color: Bright straw yellow with greenish highlights.
• Reflections: Some wines may exhibit golden reflections.

Aroma:

• Fruity: Green apple, pear, citrus fruits (lemon, lime), pineapple, and apricot.
• Floral: White flowers, elder, hawthorn, and lemon blossom.
• Herbal: Rosemary, sage, and dried wild herbs.
• Other: Saline notes, bergamot, lychee, and hints of vanilla.

Taste:

• Freshness: High acidity and a refreshing, zesty character.
• Minerality: Distinctive mineral notes, often described as karst mineral or Adriatic breeze.
• Body: Light to medium-bodied, with a delicate and gentle taste.
• Finish: Clean, persistent finish with aromatic complexity.
• Other: Tangy, slightly tart, and savory notes.

Bombino Bianco wines, especially those from Puglia, typically exhibit a pale straw yellow hue with greenish highlights. They offer crisp, fruity aromas and a palate featuring citrus and green apple notes, balanced by refreshing acidity and a hint of minerality.

Bombino Bianco Tasting Notes:

Appearance:

• Pale straw yellow with greenish highlights.

Aromas:

• Citrus fruits (lemon, grapefruit), green apple, pear, peach.
• White blossom, orchid, hawthorn.
• Almond, herbal, mineral notes.

Palate:

• Clean, crisp acidity.
• Light to medium-bodied.
• Flavors of zesty lemon, green apple, subtle herbal, and mineral notes.
• Clean, refreshing finish with lingering citrus.

Puglia has four (4) Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita (DOCG) 28 Denominazione di Origine Controllata (DOC), and 6 Indicazione Geografica Protetta (IGP) wines. 

The DOCG wines are:

• Castel del Monte Bombino Nero

• Castel del Monte Nero di Troia Reserva

• Castel del Monte Rosso Riserva

• Primitivo di Manduria Dolce Naturale

In the wine world, Puglia has only recently started to gain widespread recognition.

DOCG Wines

Castel del Monte Bombino Nero is produced in the provinces of Bari and Foggia.

Rosato (Ro): Minimum 90% Bombino Nero + OANRG

Producers:

Fior di Ribes (4.1)

Jazzo de Cesare (4.1)

Castel del Monte Nero di Troia Reserva is produced in the provinces of Bari and Foggia.

Riserva (Rd): Minimum 90% Uva di Troia + OANRG

Producers:

Torrevento (4.1)

Castel del Monte Rosso Riserva is produced in the provinces of Bari and Foggia.

Riserva (Rd): Minimum 65% Uva di Troia (locally Nero di Troia) + OANRG

Producers:

Cantina Vignuolo Maniero (4.1)

Primitivo di Manduria Dolce Naturale is produced in the province of Taranto.

Rosso (RdSw): 100% Primitivo

Producers:

Madrigale (4.0)

San Marzano Filari (4.1)

Attanasio (4.3)

DOC Wines

Aleatico di Puglia is produced throughout Puglia.

IGP Wines

Sparkling Wines

Producer: d’Araprí Cellar

Wine: Riserva Nobile

Rating: Vivino 4.0

White Wines

Producer: Agricole Vallone

Wine: Tenute Serranova Fiano

Rating: Vivino 3.8

The wine Tenute Serranova, made from 100% Fiano grapes, is named after the region where it grows and represents the core of the Vallone company.

Producer: Cantine Polvanera

Wine: Minutolo

Rating: Vivino 3.8

Minutolo wine is organic, just like all Polvanera wines. It is a white wine known for its unmistakable aroma, both on the nose and the palate, making it a perfect match for raw seafood.

Rose Wines

Producer: Cantine Leone de Castris

Wine: Five Roses

Rating: Vivino 3.9

“Five Roses” wine from Cantine Leone de Castris is regarded as the first rosé bottled in Italy and comes highly recommended.

Producer: Michele Calo & Figli

Wine: “Cerasa”

Rating: Vivino 4.0

Cerasa Rose is made from Negroamaro grapes.

Red Wines

Producer: Michele Calo

Wine: “Spano”

Rating: Vivino 4.1

Michele Calò & Figli Spano is made from Negroamaro grapes.

Producer: Agricole Vallone

Wine: “Graticciaia”

Rating: Vivino 4.4

Vallone Graticciaia is made from Negroamaro grapes.

Producer: Gianfranco Fino

Wine: Es Riserva

Rating: Vivino 4.5

Gianfranco Fino Es Riserva is made from Primitivo grapes.

Producer: Gianfranco Fino

Wine: Es Primitivo di Manduria

Rating: Vivino 4.4

Gianfranco Fino ‘Es’ Primitivo di Manduria is made from Primitivo grapes.

Producer: Cantine Polvanera

Wine: “16”

Rating: Vivino 4.2

Producer: Fatalone

Wine: Gioia del Colle Primitivo Riserva

Rating: Vivino 4.0

Fatalone Gioia del Colle Primitivo Riserva is made from Primitivo grapes.

Producer: Tenute Rubino

Wine: “Torre Testa” Susumaniello

Rating: Vivino 4.2

Tenute Rubino Torre Testa Susumaniello is made from Susumaniello grapes.

Producer: Morella

Wine: Primitivo “Old Vines”

Rating: Vivino 4.3

Morella Old Vines Primitivo Salento IGT is made from Primitivo grapes.