Region: Puglia
Quality Level in EU/Italian Wine Law: Salice Salentino DOC, Squinzano DOC Copertino DOC and others
Primary Grape Varieties: Negro Amaro
The majority of Negro Amaro (about 98%) is grown in Puglia and the grape variety is considered to be a hallmark of the region. The wines are made in red, rosato and even sparking versions but the US market generally only sees the red wines of Salice Salentino. The wines are typically varietal with 90% or more of the grape required in the blend. The Rosato wines can be as low as 75% and the sparkling wines can be of any grape but are usually 100% Negroamaro when made from this grape.
Characteristics: The wines vary in depth and style and include soft and fruity wines or the more common deeply flavored and rich and full wines.
Pair with: Red meats especially roasted.
While there are minor plantings elsewhere, Negro Amaro is a grape variety found mostly in Puglia. Contrary to popular belief, the amaro part of the name does not refer to the Italian word for bitter but is rather derived from a greek word (Macros) for black, for the berry color.
Negro Amaro is a reliable grape variety and will be able to adjust to global warming due so several characteristics. The grape can withstand great heat and still maintain acidity and therefore, balance in the final wines. The wine performs well on a range of soils and is very resistant to drought and fungal diseases.
Knowing that the name of the grape means "black - black", it is easy to remember that the wines are darkly colored and full of black fruit aromas and flavors, including black berries, plums and licorice.
The most commonly exported wines are the dark, deep and often brooding wines of the region. About half of the local production is red and rosato with Puglia producing a large amount of Italy's rosato wines. Less than 20% of the wines are bottled under a DOC but efforts are increasingly focused on quality production and export compliance. Most wines are consumed locally and much of it is table wine made in bulk.
Salice Salentino is one of the most popular GIs of Puglia and one of the most densely planted. The region has deep soils of sand, clay and marine elements. The hills undulate and most of the training is in Guyot with Vertical Shoot Positioning
Quality Level in EU/Italian Wine Law: Salice Salentino DOC, Squinzano DOC Copertino DOC and others
Primary Grape Varieties: Negro Amaro
The majority of Negro Amaro (about 98%) is grown in Puglia and the grape variety is considered to be a hallmark of the region. The wines are made in red, rosato and even sparking versions but the US market generally only sees the red wines of Salice Salentino. The wines are typically varietal with 90% or more of the grape required in the blend. The Rosato wines can be as low as 75% and the sparkling wines can be of any grape but are usually 100% Negroamaro when made from this grape.
Characteristics: The wines vary in depth and style and include soft and fruity wines or the more common deeply flavored and rich and full wines.
Pair with: Red meats especially roasted.
While there are minor plantings elsewhere, Negro Amaro is a grape variety found mostly in Puglia. Contrary to popular belief, the amaro part of the name does not refer to the Italian word for bitter but is rather derived from a greek word (Macros) for black, for the berry color.
Negro Amaro is a reliable grape variety and will be able to adjust to global warming due so several characteristics. The grape can withstand great heat and still maintain acidity and therefore, balance in the final wines. The wine performs well on a range of soils and is very resistant to drought and fungal diseases.
Knowing that the name of the grape means "black - black", it is easy to remember that the wines are darkly colored and full of black fruit aromas and flavors, including black berries, plums and licorice.
The most commonly exported wines are the dark, deep and often brooding wines of the region. About half of the local production is red and rosato with Puglia producing a large amount of Italy's rosato wines. Less than 20% of the wines are bottled under a DOC but efforts are increasingly focused on quality production and export compliance. Most wines are consumed locally and much of it is table wine made in bulk.
Salice Salentino is one of the most popular GIs of Puglia and one of the most densely planted. The region has deep soils of sand, clay and marine elements. The hills undulate and most of the training is in Guyot with Vertical Shoot Positioning
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