Guide to the Wines of Apulia and Basilicata - Valle d'Itria

DOC

VALLE D’ITRIA

Fasano

LOCOROTONDOVerdecaBianco d’Alessano

OSTUNIImpignoOttavianello

MARTINA FRANCAVerdecaBianco d’Alessano

Locorotondo, Cisternino and Martina

Franca are perched on rocky outcrops

above a countryside full of trulli and

masserie, and make up the so-called “Itria

Valley Triangle”. This wide valley between

the Provinces of Bari, Brindisi and Taranto

contains some of the most beautiful towns

in Apulia, and is known all over the world for

its trulli. These are the typical houses in

nearby Alberobello, and have a cone-

shaped roof of small pieces of limestone

(chiancarelle) built up without mortar, and

topped by a snow-white pinnacle. The

bases of the trulli are the houses (casedde),

and are also a brilliant shining white. This is

the colour which accompanies visitors on

their discovery of this area, which even

when it comes to wine is called “the white

land”. The two doc wines of this area,

Martina and Locorotondo, are made using

white Verdeca and Bianco d’Alessano

grapes, with the possible addition of

Malvasia Toscana, Bombino Bianco and

Fiano Minutolo. Although they use the same

grapes, the wines differ in the blends

allowed by the different production

regulations. The hilly countryside, the great

difference between day-time and night-time

temperatures, the cold winters and hot

summers are all good for the vineyards, and

favour the development of grapes with

wonderfully delicate perfumes and aromatic

bouquets.

One of the interesting culinary traditions

typical in this area is the “fornello pronto”

(ready oven): a room next to the butcher’s

shop where the meat is chosen directly by

the customers, then roasted and served up.

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VALLE D’ITRIA

One of the specialities of Locorotondo is the

so-called “suffocated” meat roulade

(gnumeredde suffuchete) which is common

in all the region, and known by various

dialect names. It is made using lamb’s liver,

heart and lungs wrapped up in the stomach

lining and tied together with the intestines.

Meat is definitely the gastronomic star of the

Itria Valley. Another delicacy not to miss is

the bombette of Cisternino, which are

breaded roulades, and also the delicious

Martina Franca capocollo. Then there are

the peasant dishes based on pulses, like the

white fava bean purée with wild chicory

which has a variation in every town,

enriched with slightly different ingredients.

After a visit to the rounded city of

Locorotondo and to labyrinthine Cisternino,

the fairytale trulli of Alberobello and more

aristocratic Martina Franca – a delightful

mixture of Mediterranean style and sober

baroque – visitors should not forget to see

the gnostre of Noci (small courtyards closed

on three sides with one side open to the

street), or the Castellana caves – an

absolutely splendid underground cave

system.

Ostuni, the “White City”, is surrounded by

incredible terraced vegetable gardens and

perches on three hills. Ostuni doc wine

features two indigenous local grape

variet ies cal led Ottavianello and

Sussumaniello, recently come back into

vogue after a long absence: these are really

wonderful varieties and should be drunk

with a typical local meal of lamb’s head and

giblets.

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VALLE D’ITRIA

• Decano Salento Rosso igt• Meridies Salento Rosso igt• Fiano Salento igt

Lui Puglia Rosso igt 2007Grapes: Nero di Troia 100%Alcohol: 13,50%Cost: euro 28,00Intense ruby red colour with shiny purplish highlights. Scents recalling forest fruits, vanilla, cloves, toasted hazelnuts and slate with balsamic notes.Equally intense on the palate, full and smooth flavours pleasantly balanced by robust elegant tannins. Rich flavours of blackcurrant and pepper. Suggested with a lamb pignata.

Petrarosa Puglia Rosato igt 2008Grapes: Primitivo di Gioia 100%Alcohol: 12,50%Cost: euro 18,00Splendid brilliant cherry pink hue. Pleasantly delicate scents of grapes and woodland fruits with notes of almonds and honey. Satisfying on the palate, immediately s m o o t h , i n t e n s e a n d b a l a n c e d . Wonderful fresh finish reminiscent of oregano. Enhanced when accompanied with linguine allo scoglio.

Il Selva Locorotondo Bianco doc 2008Grapes: Verdeca 55%, Bianco d' Alessano 40%, Fiano 5%Alcohol: 12,50%Cost: euro 14,00Deep straw yellow colour. Definite scents of orange blossom and pears with hints of acacia.Balanced on the palate, quite smooth and drinkable. Has lost a little freshness. Delightfully elegant almond finish. Ideal with vegetable soup.

Cantina Albea was founded over a

century ago and takes its name from

the old name for the town of

Alberobello. This lovely building is

owned by Dante Renzini and has

always been important for wine-

growing and for the history of the area.

The winery uses modern production

methods based on concepts which

best express the age-old tradition of

the Itria Valley. A visit to the winery is a

very enjoyable experience and there is

also a Wine Museum in the rooms on

the upper floor: it contains a wide-

ranging and continually growing

collection of agricultural tools from

the past, as well as old photographs

which provide an insight into a

farming tradition dating back a

thousand years.

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Vineyard area (hectares): 40Annual number of bottles: 320.000

70011 Alberobello (Ba)Via Due Macelli, 8Tel. +39 080 4323548 - Fax +39 080 [email protected] founded: 1905Owner: Dante RenziniOenologist/Adviser: Claudio Sisto, Riccardo

Cotarella

OTHER WINES

• Riservato Salento Rosso igt• Pagghie Puglia Bianco igt• Vu'ole Puglia Rosso igt• Casèdde Puglia Rosso igt• Petranera Salento Rosso igt• Raro Salento Rosso igt

Albea

VALLE D’ITRIA

Primitivo Puglia Rosso igt 2008Grapes: Primitivo 100%Alcohol: 13%Cost: euro 6,00Intense fluid ruby red with soft purple highlights. Delicate fragrances of wild strawberries, vanilla, toasted almonds, rhubarb and myrtle, with balsamic hints. Rich, balanced and full-bodied on the palate. Fairly intense with smooth young tannins and an excellent persistent cherry finish. Perfect with braised beef.

Imperatore Puglia Rosso igt 2008Grapes: volutamente non dichiaratiAlcohol: 14%Cost: euro 8,00Intense ruby red colouring with purplish highlights. Intense fine scents of bilberries, rocket, peppers and black pepper with suggestions of flint. Satisfyingly full structure, with intense and perfectly balanced contrasts on the palate. Averagely persistent with a definite pleasant fruitiness also on the finish. Suggested with quails lardellate with bacon.

Edonè Puglia Bianco igt 2008Grapes: Malvasia 100%Alcohol: 12,50%Cost: euro 6,00Deep straw yellow hue. A few intense scents of green apple and bread crust on a citrus background. Not very definite on the palate, fairly balanced and not very persistent perlage. Delicious and goes well with steamed shellfish.

Cantina Sociale Cooperativa Pietro

Tauro was founded over sixty years ago

by a small group of local wine-growers.

Today this cooperative is led by

Francesco Tauro and includes about

200 members, all in the Alberobello

area. The winery uses the most

modern processing technology, so as to

transfer all the special characteristics

of the local grape varieties and this hill

country into the wines. The red soils of

this area are chalky and rich in mineral

salts, and this means that Verdeca,

Bianco di Alessano, Primitivo, Malvasia

Bianca and Nera grapes grown here

have excellent characteristics. The

building is one of the oldest in the area,

and with its star-shaped ceiling arches

it is particularly interesting for visitors

to see.

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70011 Alberobello (Ba)Via Cavour, 88Tel./Fax +39 080 4321285 – +39 080 [email protected] founded: 1949Sole director: Francesco TauroOenologist: Pietro Baccaro

OTHER WINES

• Martina Bianco doc 2008• Fiulè Puglia Bianco igt 2008• Chardonnay Puglia igt 2008• Rosé Puglia igt 2008• Cabernet Puglia Rosso igt 2008

VALLE D’ITRIA

Cantina Soc. Coop.Pietro Tauro

• Casalia Verdeca e Negroamaro Puglia igt• Talinajo Locorotondo doc• Nero di Troia Puglia igt• Spumanti doc• Masseria Scorace Puglia Bianco igt

Locorotondo doc 2008Grapes: Verdeca 65%, Bianco d'Alessano 30%, Fiano 5%Alcohol: 12,50%Cost: euro 5,00Pale straw yellow hue with soft greenish highlights. A definite vanilla note on the nose is followed by scents of citrus fruits and freshly cut grass. Smooth and enveloping on the palate, balanced by a definite vein of acidity, with a slightly bitter finish. Ideal with carpaccio of fumè swordfish.

Arcate Salento Rosso igt 2005Grapes: Primitivo 100%Alcohol: 13,50%Cost: euro 4,00Garnet red colour with soft orange highlights. Scents of black cherry and cacao on the nose, with spicy notes. The structure is a little fragile on the palate, but fairly balanced altogether. Quite balanced and easy to drink. Goes very well with an onion calzone pizza.

Roccia Valle d'Itria Bianco igt 2008Grapes: Verdeca 50%, Chardonnay 50%Alcohol: 12,50%Cost: euro 5,00Golden yellow hue. Scents which suggest ripe pineapple, wet grass and yellow apples. A good balance on the palate, smooth and fairly persistent. A little light-bodied, but can be appreciated for its simplicity and has quite a good flavour. Suggested with fava beans and wild chicory.

In September 1932 a group of

Locorotondo farmers decided to form

the first cooperative in Apulia, and set

up the Cantina Sociale di Locorotondo.

This cooperative enhanced the local

wine-growing heritage so much that

recognit ion was obtained for

Locorotondo doc in 1969, thanks to

the insistence of Giuseppe Petrelli

who is still in charge of the winery.

Wine-growing in this area dates back

at least as far as 1195, as recorded in

old documents. The winery is very

pleasant to visit and it lies just outside

the town in an imposing and elegant

building surrounded by rows of

Bianco d’Alessano, Verdeca and Fiano

vines. The use of modern technology

ensures that quality standards are

always very high.

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Vineyard area (hectares): 355Annual number of bottles: 1.000.000

70010 Locorotondo (Ba)Via Madonna della Catena, 99Tel. +39 080 4311644Fax +39 080 [email protected] founded: 1932President: Giuseppe PetrelliOenologist: Benedetto Lorusso

OTHER WINES

• Cummerse Puglia Rosso e Rosato igt• Roccia Puglia Rosso e Bianco igt• Terre di Don Peppe Primitivo di

Manduria doc• Olimpia Moscato Puglia• Zeffiro Puglia igt

VALLE D’ITRIA

Cantina SocialeCoop. Locorotondo

• Primaio Primitivo Puglia igt 2008

Il Castillo Locorotondo doc 2008Grapes: Verdeca 50%, Bianco d'Alessano 45%, Fiano 5%Alcohol: 12,50%Cost: euro 6,12Splendid straw yellow colouring with greenish flashes. Scents of citrus fruits, lime, sage and acacia on the nose. Has a good structure and intensity on the palate. Quite persistent on the finish, with good grapefruit flavour. Suggested with spaghetti and clams.

Vigna del Fragno Valle d'Itria Rosso igt 2007Grapes: Cabernet, Malbec, MerlotAlcohol: 13,50%Cost: euro 10,80Deep ruby red colouring with purplish highlights. Fragrances of blackcurrant, vanilla, slate and paprika on the nose. Velvety on the palate with pleasantly intense dry smoothness. An enviable texture, with quite a long liquorice finish. Recommended with tagliata beef cooked with red wine.

Falera Salento Bianco igt 2008Grapes: Fiano 100%Alcohol: 12,50%Cost: euro 7,80Straw yellow colour with gold highlights. A wide range of fragrances on the nose: cut grass, apricot, peach skin, cyclamen, avocado and notes of basil. Velvety on the palate, gives the sensation of a sweet wine but has enough acidity to ensure balance. Excellent as an aperitif, and can be served daringly with oysters.

Cantina Cardone is an old family-run

winery which has made the most of the

precious Apulian wine-growing

tradition, combining the expertise and

enthusiasm of the past with the most

advanced technology. The winery is

managed by Angela Derobertis, and is

situated among “trulli” and olive trees

in the splendid hill country of the Itria

Valley. Some of the grapes used to make

wine here come from the winery’s own

vineyards and some from lands it rents.

Production enhances local varieties

like Fiano, Bianco di Alessano, Verdeca

and Primitivo, and is purposely limited

in order to maximise quality, with

checks and trials carried out from

harvest to bottling. Visitors can tour

the cellars and buy wines directly from

the winery.

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70010 Locorotondo (Ba)Via Martiri della Libertà, 32Tel. +39 080 4312561Fax +39 080 [email protected] founded: 1970Owner: Angela DerobertisOenologist: Leonardo Palumbo

OTHER WINES

• Archita Salento Rosso igt 2003• Euclide Primitivo Salento igt 2003• Gioiò Puglia frizzante igt 2008• Prosit Salento Bianco igt 2008• Placeo Chardonnay Salento igt 2008• Nausica Salento Rosato igt 2008

VALLE D’ITRIA

CardoneVini Classici

Rampone Valle d'Itria Bianco igt 2008Grapes: Fiano Minutolo 100%Alcohol: 13%Cost: euro 10,00Splendid straw yellow colouring with gold highlights. Bursting with scents of orange blossom, white peach, hazelnut, celery and acacia on the nose, with musky hints. Smooth on the palate, well-balanced and pleasantly fresh. Excellent long floral finish. Suggested with a seafood salad. Comes close to excellence.

Faraone Valle d' Itria Bianco igt 2008Grapes: Verdeca 100%Alcohol: 12,50%Cost: euro 8,00Beautiful straw yellow colour with brilliant greenish gold highlights. Intense scents of white peach, pear, freshly cut grass, toasted almonds and hawthorn.Excellent balance on the palate, with a delightful long white mulberry and ripe pear finish. A splendid interpretation of the grape variety. Ideal to accompany riso, patate e cozze.

Cupa Valle d' Itria Bianco igt 2008Grapes: Bianco d'Alessano 100%Alcohol: 12,50%Cost: euro 8,00Golden yellow hue. Scents which suggest ripe pineapple, wet grass and yellow apples. A good balance on the palate, smooth and fairly persistent. A little light-bodied, but can be appreciated for its simplicity and has quite a good flavour. Suggested with fava beans and wild chicory.

I Pastini belongs to brothers Nicola

and Lino Carparelli, and is a young

w i n e r y f o u n d e d o n ye a r s o f

experience. They started in 1996 in

the heart of the Itria Valley, and in

2001 they bought an old farm here in

the Cupa-Rampone area between

Locorotondo and Martina Franca, a

splendid farmstead with “trulli”.

They have planted Verdeca, Bianco

d’Alessano and Fiano Minutolo vines

with the aim of enhancing the local

varieties, and also grow Primitivo for

red wines on some rented land.

The winery combines the expertise

derived from old traditions with

modern methods.

Visitors can tour the beautifully

situated vineyards.

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Vineyard area (hectares): 12 owned +12 rentedAnnual number of bottles: 250.000

70010 Locorotondo (Ba)Via Italo Balbo, 22/24Tel./Fax +39 080 [email protected] founded: 1996Sole director: Giangaleazzo CarparelliOenologist: Pasquale Carparelli

OTHER WINES

• Arpago Primitivo del Tarantino Rosso igt 2006

• Antico Locorotondo Bianco doc 2008• Elogio alla Lentezza Aleatico dolce

Puglia Rosso igt 2006

VALLE D’ITRIA

I Pastini

Sturnio Locorotondo doc 2008Grapes: Verdeca 70%, Bianco d'Alessano 25%, Fiano 5%Alcohol: 12%Cost: euro 7,00Inviting straw yellow colour with gold highlights. Delicate scents on the nose reminiscent of meadow flowers and elderflower, with notes of aromatic herbs.Not quite up to expectations on the palate: has a thin body and structure and an elusive taste. Drinkable and fresh.Good with cod all'acqua pazza.

Sturnio Valle d'Itria Bianco igt 2008Grapes: Verdeca 100%Alcohol: 12%Cost: euro 7,00Straw yellow with prominent greenish highlights. Intense scents of fresh grass, hawthorn, meadow flowers and gooseberry on the nose.Intense and balanced contrasts on the palate, with a great deal of freshness. Lingering vegetal finish, faithful to its variety. Suggested with tubettini alle cozze alla tarantina.

Sturnio Valle d'Itria Bianco igt 2008Grapes: Verdeca 70%, Bianco d'Alessano 20%, Chardonnay 10%Alcohol: 12%Cost: euro 7,00Lovely straw yellow hue with lively greenish highlights. Fragrances of geranium leaves, almond flowers, and green bananas with musky notes.Intense on the palate, full-bodied and balanced. Fairly persistent, this is a pleasant wine. Perfect accompaniment to a dory baked with potatoes and artichokes.

Upal is a cooperative which has been

operating for fifty years to enhance the

territory of the Itria Valley with its

wines and extra virgin olive oils. The

cooperative is managed by Quirico

Zizzi and has about 1000 members

who provide the grapes used for wine-

making with the most modern

technology. Production is mainly

concentrated on white doc and igt

wines from the local varieties Bianco

d’Alessano, Verdeca and Fiano which

here enjoy ideal soils and climatic

conditions. The vineyards also

produce Primitivo and Malvasia Nera

as the base for the winery’s reds and

rosés. The winery is just outside the

town of Cisternino and welcomes

visitors to the cellars where they can

buy wines produced.

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72014 Cisternino (Br)Via Fasano, 150Tel. +39 080 4448150Fax +39 080 [email protected] founded: 1959President: Quirico ZizziOenologist: Angelo Soleti

OTHER WINES

• Salento Puglia Rosso igt• Primitivo Salento Rosso igt• Foleggio Puglia Rosato e Bianco igt• Elbea Salento Rosato igt

VALLE D’ITRIA

U.P.A.L.

Pezze di Monsignore Salice Salentino Riserva Rosso doc 2005Grapes: Negroamaro 90%, Malvasia Nera 10%Alcohol: 13,60%Cost: euro 12,00Bright consistent garnet red colour. Intense elegant scents of blackberry jam on the nose, tree bark, cinchona and vanilla with notes of horseradish. Less intense flavours on the palate, but still very pleasant, full-bodied and quite balanced. Delightful redcurrant flavour on the finish. Suggested with lamb, potatoes and mushrooms.

Padula delle Monache Primitivo di Manduria Rosso doc 2006Grapes: Primitivo 100%Alcohol: 14,20%Cost: euro 9,00Intense ruby red colouring with purple highlights. Scents recalling sultanas, plum jam. Butter and nutmeg on the nose. Very smooth on the palate with a corresponding tartness and fairly good body. Ready to drink and suggested with lamb's ragù.

Monte Cannone Locorotondo Bianco doc 2008Grapes: Verdeca 65%, Bianco D'Alessano 30%, Malvasia Bianca 5%Alcohol: 12,80%Cost: euro 8,00Straw yellow hue. Fairly intensive fragrances of pineapple and jasmine, with notes of lemon and a hint of fish.Less intense on the palate, medium intensity and fairly fresh. Good pear flavour on the finish, but not very persistent. Ideal with an octopus salad.

Agricola Alimentare Puglisi - Agrialp -

was founded by Nicola Savoia twenty

years ago in the countryside near

Fasano, on the coastal strip between

the provinces of Bari, Brindisi and

Taranto, an area with rich traditions

and centuries-old olive trees.

The great variety of products reflects

the agricultural character of this area.

The winery produces the Locorotondo

and Martina doc white wines typical of

the Itria Valley, and also Salice

Salentino and Primitivo di Manduria

doc red wines.

The winery has modern machinery

and is available for guided tours which

include appreciation of different extra

virgin olive oils from the oil press on

the farm, and also a large variety of

preserves.

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72015 Fasano (Br)SP Burgo Coccaro s.n.Tel. +39 080 4827830 – +39 080 4413755Fax +39 080 4827853 – +39 080 [email protected] founded: 1989Owner: Nicola SavoiaOenologist: Angelo Pinto

OTHER WINES

• Attis Puglia Rosso, Rosato e Bianco igt• Sarzano Primitivo Salento Rosso igt• Monte Pizzuto Martina Bianco doc• Lamie di Arsilio Salice Salentino Rosso

doc• Fiero Negroamaro Salento Rosso igt

VALLE D’ITRIA

Agricola AlimentarePugliese - Agrialp

• Primitivo Salento igt

Salice Salentino Riserva Rosso doc 2004Grapes: Negroamaro 80%, Malvasia Nera 20%Alcohol: 13,50%Cost: euro 8,00Garnet red hue with orange highlights. Scents suggesting cherry jam, cacao and nutmeg on the nose. Quite intense on the palate but a little thin on structure. Fairly persistent with a nicely spicy finish. Ideal to accompany a ripe canestrato di Moliterno cheese.

Selezione Aura Primitivo di Manduria doc 2004Grapes: Primitivo 100%Alcohol: 14,50%Cost: euro 12,00Garnet red hue with orange highlights. A textbook correspondence of developed scents of leather, paint and fruits preserved in alcohol. It loses some of its body and persistence on the palate, but is smooth with unusual spicy flavours. Persistence is elusive. Perfect with gnummerriedde al fornello.

Riserva del Fondatore Aglianico del Vulture doc 2005Grapes: Aglianico 100%Alcohol: 13,50%Cost: euro 18,00Intense garnet red hue. Recognisable scents of blackberry jam and black pepper, with notes of flint.Good structure and freshness on the palate. Tannins are still lively, so this wine is not quite balanced. Very good with capocollo di Martina Franca.

Francesco Di Marco manages the

winery which bears his name with all

the passion he has inherited from his

forebears. He has combined his family’s

hundred plus years of expertise with

his own technical and professional

know-how derived from studying

agriculture and oenology. Local

varieties predominate in the vineyards:

Bianco d’Alessano, Verdeca and Fiano

for white wines, and Primitivo,

Aglianico, Negroamaro and Malvasia

Nera for reds. The winery makes good

use of its modern equipment to

produce fine wines, and has two

different production sites just outside

Martina Franca: the original 19th

century limestone building and a

modern warehouse for storage. Visitors

can buy wines directly from the winery.

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74015 Martina Franca (Ta)Via Locorotondo, SS 172Tel. +39 080 4801193Fax +39 080 [email protected] founded: 1872Owner: Francesco Di MarcoOenologist: Martino Tagliente

OTHER WINES

• Martina Bianco doc• Locorotondo doc• Briò Frizzante naturale• Negroamaro Salento Rosso igt• Salice Salentino Rosso doc• Salice Salentino Riserva Rosso doc

VALLE D’ITRIA

CantineDi Marco

• Didius Salento Bianco igt• Leilus Valle d'Itria vivace igt• Claudina Tarantino Rosato igt• Nireus Salento Rosso igt• Obvinus Primitivo Salento igt• Tales Salice Salentino Rosso doc

Ater 06 Primitivo di Manduria doc 2006Grapes: Primitivo 100%Alcohol: 14,50%Cost: euro 24,00Splendid shiny ruby red colour. Notes of blackberry jam on the nose, with ripe peppers, cinnamon, cacao and hints of graphite. Full-bodied and persistent, very pleasant on the palate with no roughness.Excellent with f i l let steak with gorgonzola cheese.

Prima Lux Salento Bianco igt 2008Grapes: Riesling 100%Alcohol: 13,50%Cost: euro 18,00Straw yellow colour with gold highlights. Delightful delicate scents of cheese rind, ripe pineapple and notes of graphite.Drinkable on the palate, not completely balanced but with an excellent taste giving a lovely freshness. Quite long on the finish. Suggested with a potatos pizza.

Negroamaro Salento Rosato igt 2008Grapes: Negroamaro 100%Alcohol: 13%Cost: euro 9,00Pale coral pink colour with soft orange highlights. Shy scents of rose petals and vanilla with smoky notes on the nose. Definitely better on the palate, with balanced contrasts, a pleasant intensity and structure. Persistent and ideal with tubettini ai ricci di mare.

In 2008 Ionis - managed by Guido

Palmisano - was established in Martina

Franca, based on the enthusiasm of

three generations and years of

experience in different areas of the

wine-growing sector. This is a young

winery which boasts a good number of

labels expressing local Apulian

varieties like Verdeca, Negroamaro and

Primitivo, as well as some of the better

known international varieties like

Chardonnay, Sauvignon, Riesling and

Merlot. Careful selection and continual

monitoring in the vineyard, plus

constant research into oenological

innovation, meant that the winery has

soon found that the international

market appreciated its wines.

Visitors are welcomed and the winery

sells its wines directly.

125

74015 Martina Franca (Ta)Via dello Stadio, 47Tel. +39 080 4857810Fax +39 080 [email protected] founded: 2008Owner: Giulio PalmisanoOenologist: Sergio Palmisano

OTHER WINES

• Suavitas Salice Salentino Riserva Rosso doc

• Charve Valle d'Itria Bianco igt• Nemema Salento Rosso igt• Primitivo Salento igt• Negroamaro Salento igt

VALLE D’ITRIA

Ionis

• Argòs Spumante• Kanathè Salento Bianco igt

Campirossi Primitivo Salento Rosso igt 2006Grapes: Primitivo 100%Alcohol: 14%Cost: euro 4,80Ruby red colouring with garnet highlights. Unusual scents of camomile, olive leaves, vanilla and raspberry jam on the nose. Velvety and intense on the palate, and slightly biased towards smoothness. Not quite balanced, but persistent and ideal with a sweet-and-souer rabbit.

Lussoblu Salento Bianco igt 2008Grapes: Sauvignon 100%Alcohol: 14%Cost: euro 5,50Clear straw yellow hue. Light scents of white flowers on the nose and hints of marjoram. Medium-bodied and with a pleasant hint of citrus. Its robust alcohol content makes it not quite balanced. This is a simple wine which is perfect with a rice salad.

Ichore Salento Rosso igt 2008Grapes:Primitivo 45%, Negroamaro 55%Alcohol: 13,50%Cost: euro 5,00Intense ruby red. Interesting balsamic scents on the nose, recalling pine and red fruits like raspberries, with hints of toasted almonds.More restrained on the palate, but just as pleasant. Medium body and persistence, and easy to drink. A good wine with food and ideal with scamorza cheese and smoked ham croutons.

The Miali family has been involved in

wine-growing for well over a century,

since 1886 when Elvino Miali started

marketing wine. This is a long story,

involving four generations of the

family always directly in charge of

production. Over the years they have

made some innovative and sometimes

brave choices while always remaining

steadfast in their respect for the

territory and its traditions. Francesco

Miali is now in charge here. The grapes

which the winery processes come

from selected vineyards in Apulia and

Basilicata: Verdeca, Bianco d’Alessano

and Chardonnay for whites and

Primitivo, Negroamaro and Aglianico

for red wines. The winery is available

for visits by appointment, and sells its

wines directly.

126

74015 Martina Franca (Ta)Via Madonnina, 1Tel./Fax +39 080 [email protected] founded: 1886Owner: Francesco MialiOenologist: Francesco Miali

OTHER WINES

• Lunalba Capsula Platinum Chardonnay Salento igt

• Dolcimelo Martina doc• Sèpala Aglianico del Vulture doc• Sàcrima Negroamaro Salento igt• Mater Primitivo Salento igt

VALLE D’ITRIA

MialiCantine

Annual number of bottles: 430.000

Duca Petraccone Salento Rosso igt 2006Grapes: Primitivo 100%Alcohol: 14%Cost: euro 9,00Ruby red hue with garnet highlights. A little closed on the nose, but with scents of ripe cherry and butter. Not very complex on the palate, but straightforward, pleasant and easy to drink. Fairly balanced, but a little below par when it comes to persistence. Good to accompany meatballs with tomatos sauce.

Castello Montedoro Castel del Monte Rosso doc 2006Grapes: Aglianico 60%, Nero di Troia 40%Alcohol: 14%Cost: euro 8,00Impenetrable ruby red hue. Fragrances reminiscent of bilberry jam, vanilla, gorgonzola and leather. Quite intense on the palate and medium-bodied with tannins which are still a little exuberant. Goes well with spicy salame sausages with fennel seeds.

Colucci Copertino Riserva Rosso doc 2004Grapes: Negroamaro 80%, Malvasia Nera 20%Alcohol: 13%Cost: euro 9,00Garnet red colouring with orange highlights. Typical animal scents of mature Negroamaro, but also paprika, black sesame and butter. The structure is a little fragile on the palate, but fairly balanced with delightful aniseed notes on the finish. Ideal to accompany a roast saddle of pork.

San Martino is owned by the Colucci

family, which enjoys a long experience

of wine-growing starting in 1937.

Wine expert Francesco Colucci is now

in charge, helped by his son Piercesare

who deals with sales.

The winery lies on the hills in the heart

of the Itria Valley, one of the best wine-

growing areas in Apulia, and the

grapes come from its own vineyards

which enjoy a favourable micro-

climate and chalky soils.

Grapes are harvested by hand and

made into a wide range of doc and igt

wines, especially those which enhance

local varieties, including Verdeca,

Bianco d’Alessano, Negroamaro,

Malvasia and Primitivo. The winery

welcomes visitors and sells its wines

directly.

127

Vineyard area (hectares): 29Annual number of bottles: 1.200.000

74015 Martina Franca (Ta)Via Massafra, 9Tel. +39 080 4305511Fax +39 080 [email protected] founded: 1937Owner: Francesco ColucciOenologist: Francesco Colucci

OTHER WINES

• Martina Franca Bianco doc 2008• Locorotondo Bianco doc 2008• Valle d'Itria frizzante Puglia igt• Salice Salentino Riserva Rosso doc

2004• Salento Rosato igt 2008

VALLE D’ITRIA

San MartinoColucci Vini

Documents

Guide to the Wines of Apulia and Basilicata - Valle d'Itria