A week in Puglia | Tasting Notes

Puglia, the region situated in south-eastern “heel” of mainland Italy also known as Apulia, produces approximately 20% of Italy’s total wine production.

The quality of the majority of these wines has improved dramatically in recent years. This is due to inspired winemaking, new guidelines of production and an increase of organic-led, artisan wineries coupled with the evolution of some of the long established winemakers.

This was recognised when new artisan winemaker Gianfranco Fino was named Winemaker of the Year 2010 by Gambero Rosso.

Puglia has twenty nine DOC wine zones. Sixteen of them located in the south of the region called the Salento peninsula. This region has also four DOCG wine zones of which three are situated in the Castel del Monte area.

The three main grapes in Puglia are indigenous varieties:

• Negroamaro planted primarily in Salento and is used to produce a full bodied, robust wine called Salice Salentino. This grape is frequently blended with other traditional or international varieties such as Malvasia Nero, Montepulciano and Cabernet Sauvignon.

• Nero di Troia planted in the central and north of Puglia. The wines made from this variety are usually high in tannins, floral and sometimes complex and elegant. Unblended, these wines live extended lives but recent trends required producers to blend then with more (palate-pleasing) user-friendly low tannins varieties.

• Primitivo vines are widely planted in the Salento area. These are favoured among Puglia’s red varieties for diverse, intense and structured but elegant wines. Also found in the Gioia del Colle area further north in west-central Puglia.These wines tend to be medium bodied and more subtle than the wines from Salento.

Puglia also produces some very quaffable whites. Dry, fresh, crisp wines made from Verdeca (a grape widely used in making vermouth in the past), Bombino Bianco and Greco Bianco.

Listed below are some of the wines I most enjoyed during my recent visit to this beautiful, rustic and singular Italian region:

Cantine Carpentiere Come D’Incanto 2017

From the area of Castel del Monte comes this popular white made with Uva di Troia grapes by “off the skins” vinification. Medium to full body, rich rounded complex, good acidity, fresh. Points 89 TW

Cantine Carpentiere Armentario Nero di Troia Riserva 2012 DOCG

Well crafted and full bodied, complex, plum, bramble, liquorice, spice.15% volume. A fruit bomb!

Points 90 TW

Cantine Carpentiere Nero di Troia DOC Pietra dei Lupi 2014

Interesting wine, in my opinion needs to be served slightly chilled. Dried fig, camphor, cedar notes and eastern spice. Black fruits, smooth tannins, lacks acidity. Points 89 TW

Giuseppe Attanasio Primitivo Di Manduria 2013

70 years have been invested in making wines from this estate from 40/50 years old vines this 100% Primitivo is purple red, long, persistent, intensely strong but with fresh, clean strong tannins, prune and cherry notes. 16% volume. Beautiful, but only for the bold! Points 91 TW

Felline Fiano 2017

Pale yellow in colour. White floral nuances followed by pear, lime and tropical fruit, good minerality, with light, grassy notes, good acidity, long finish. Points 88 TW

Tenuta Patruno Perniola Marzagaglia Primitivo 2013

(2012 was its first vintage). A mono varietal dark ruby wine with purple floral undertones. Rich, blue flowers, fresh berry fruit, eastern spice, intense. Points 90 TW

Tenuta Patruno Perniola Riserva 1821

Similar stats to the non-Riserva with the main difference being the more velvety, harmonious wine. Both wines are filtered with no stabilisation.

Points 91 TW

Rosa del Golfo Salento Bolina IGT 2017

90% Verdeca 10% Chardonnay. This is a well crafted white wine; fresh tropical fruits, delicate, smooth and elegant. Really drinkable. Points 91 TW

Alovini Aglianico del Vulture Alvolo 2013

This elegant wine actually comes from Basilicata. Full bodied, fresh berry flavours, structured, tannins and acidity in perfect harmony. Great ageing potential. Aglianico is often referred to as “the Barolo of the South”. Points 93 TW

Cantele Amativo Salento IGT 2015

A blend of Primitivo 60% and Negroamaro 40%. Rich deep colour, medium bodied, dark berry fruit flavours, aromatic, brown spices, savoury. Points 91 TW

Duca Carlo Guarini Taersìa Negroamaro in Bianco 2017

Beguiling bouquet, fresh and complex. Full flavoured, round and structured. Versatile.

Points 89 TW

Duca Carlo Guarini Pìutri Negroamaro 2016

A mono varietal, organic certified wine, showing blackberry, balsamic, savoury notes and a hint of vanilla on the back-end. Points 89 TW

I Pastini Faraone Verdeca IGP 2017

Made with 100% Verdeca, a grape variety originally used to make Vermouth. Fresh, floral, tropical fruit, citrus undertone. Medium body. Extremely good value. Points 90 TW