Best Apulian Grapes Types
Primitivo is an Italian grape variety with quite interesting origins. Research conducted in 1994 proved that the grape is identical to Californian Zinfandel, while it was later discovered that both grapes originated from an old and obscure Croatian grape Crljenak Kaštelanski.
Despite the same lineage, these grapes are influenced by their terroir, and they can slightly differ in character. In Italy, Primitivo is mostly cultivated in Apulia, where it is used in the appellation Primitivo di Manduria. Primitivo is a somewhat rustic wine, dark, intense, and rich in tannins that tend to mellow with age.
VARIATIONS OF Primitivo
Negroamaro is a red grape variety mostly found throughout Apulia, particularly in Salento, Lecce, Tarento, Brindisi, and Foggia. It is often used together with other regional grapes such as Malvasia Nera, Susumaniello, and Primitivo, although it also has excellent potential as a varietal wine.
Negroamaro has a somewhat rustic character with fruity and earthy nuances reminiscent of red and dark berries. With age, these dark-colored wines will typically develop herbaceous and spicy notes. Most examples have a medium to full body and typically high alcohol content.
Mostly cultivated in Campania, Fiano is an old Italian variety that has seen a significant revival since the 1980s. This low-yielding, early-ripening grape is praised for its ability to produce crisp and aromatic wines with a lot of character and herbaceous and fruity notes.
These wines are typically medium-bodied and intensely flavored. Young Fiano wines often display aromatic honey notes, and as they age, they tend to develop smoky and spicy notes dominated by hazelnut. The aromas are perfectly balanced with bright acidity.
VARIATIONS OF Fiano
The designation of Uva di Puglia refers to table grapes of the following varietals: Italia, Regina, Victoria, Michele Palieri and Red Globe. These grapes are cultivated throughout the region of Apulia at an altitude of 330m above sea level where they thrive due to the favorable Mediterranean climate and pedoclimatic conditions.
All Apulian grapes are particularly juicy and sweet; they have a firm, crunchy flesh and stand out for their long shelf-life, while their color varies depending on the variety: Italia, Regina and Victoria are straw yellow, Red Globe has an intense rosé doré color, whereas Michele Palieri grapes are dark purple, almost black.
Nero di Troia, also known as Uva di Troia, is an ancient Apulian grape primarily cultivated in northern Apulia. It most likely originates from the town of Troia in the province of Foggia. Although it was often overshadowed by the more popular Primitivo and Negroamaro, this late-ripening grape has shown great potential to produce well-structured, tannic wines with a distinctive character.
The grape is used in varietals and blends, several regional DOC appellations, and Castel del Monte Nero di Troia Riserva DOCG. It is often combined with Primitivo, Negroamaro, or Montepulciano. Blending grapes tend to tone down the tannins, but varietal Nero di Troia can result in excellent wines.
VARIATIONS OF Nero di Troia
Susumaniello is an Italian red grape synonymous with Apulia. It is a rare grape and one of many offspring of Garganega. Susumaniello is mainly cultivated in Brindisi, where it is usually used in blends, together with Malvasia Nera and Negroamaro, but it also shows good varietal potential.
This red-skinned grape is suitable for various styles, but it is mainly vinified into dry red wines. Most examples are soft and fruity, dominated by plum and cherry aromas. They are deeply colored, medium-bodied, and pleasantly tannic wines that can age well.
Malvasia Nera di Brindisi is a red grape mostly grown in Apulia. It is used in the production of red and rosé wines, and it is the most common variety of dark-skinned Malvasia. The grape has many synonyms, and recently it was confirmed to be identical to Malvasia Nera di Lecce.
It typically produces ruby red wines with well-structured tannins, well-balanced acidity, and fruity notes reminiscent of pomegranate and raspberry. Malvasia Nera was predominantly used as a blending grape, typically together with Negroamaro, but it also has excellent potential as a varietal wine.
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