Mediterranean Terroir Makes a Difference
In our third episode of Wine Oh TV in Puglia, Monique Soltani makes her way to Taranto and discovers what makes the “Primitivo di Manduria” wine-making region so unique.
Watch as Monique visits Cantine San Marzano located in the heart of Puglia’s acclaimed d.o.p. “Primitivo di Manduria” area, digs into Italian delicacies at Pregiata Forneria Lenti, gets her hands dirty in Grottaglie with one of the most famous ceramic artists in the area.
Plus, she finds a perfect pairing of rosé and red shrimp at La Barca restaurant, and she lives it up in the lap of luxury at Masseria Bagnara.
The Primitivo di Manduria” area, a strip of land between two seas, the Ionian and the Adriatic; is in the provinces of Taranto and Brindisi.
In ancient times, Taranto was one of the largest cities in the world with population estimates up to 300,000 people. Today, Taranto is an important commercial and military port.
The Mediterranean terroir makes a differences in the production of high quality wines making the Primitivo di Manduria DOP, one of Puglia’s best-known denominations around the world.
Wines Featured in this Video
Anniversario 62 (Primitivo)
WINE CATEGORY: Protected Designation of Origin
GRAPE: Primitivo
PRODUCTION AREA: Very old vineyards selected in San Marzano and Sava. The soil is mainly red with a fine texture and a generally calcareous underground with few emerging rocks. The well-known redness of these soils is due to the presence of iron oxides. The climate is characterised by high temperatures all year round, very little rainfall and a wide temperature range between night and day, which has a positive influence on the quality of the grapes. This is the central area of d.o.p. ”Primitivo di Manduria”.
VINIFICATION: Grapes are hand-harvested in advanced status of ripening. Maceration: 18 days on 80% of the mass, 25 days on remaining 20%. Thermo-controlled alcoholic fermentation with autochthonous yeasts at 24-26°C.
AGEING: 18 months in fine French and American wood barrels. AGEING POTENTIAL: A wine that preserves its organoleptic characteristics for 7 years. TASTING NOTES: Intense ruby red colour, wide and complex to the nose; fruity, with a prune and cherry jam aroma, with notes of tobacco, slightly spicy. A full-bodied wine, soft and rich in fine tannins, with notes of cocoa, coffee and vanilla in the end.
BEST SERVED WITH: Red meat, game, savory first courses.
Tramari (Rosé from Primitivo)
WINE CATEGORY: Protected Geographical Indication.
GRAPE: Primitivo
PRODUCTION AREA: San Marzano, Salento, Puglia. The area is about 100 meters above sea level, with high average temperatures and medium-low rainfall. The soft soil layer is clayey and quite thin, with a good presence of rocks. HARVEST PERIOD: First week of September.
VINIFICATION: Skin contact for some hours followed by partial drawing off of the must of Primitivo grapes, and then fermentation.
AGEING: In stainless steel tanks. AGEING POTENTIAL: A wine that preserves its organoleptic characteristics for 2 years.
TASTING NOTES: Softly rosé colored; intense and persistent aroma of Mediterranean maquis, with cherry and raspberry notes. A fresh and elegant wine, balanced in the mouth.
BEST SERVED WITH: Italian style starters, fish soups, roasted or foil- baked fish, fresh or slightly aged cheeses.
*This video was produced in partnership Gran Via Società e Comunicazione.
