Foodie Fall: November 2023

Puglia — The Region Situated in the heart of the Mediterranean, Puglia is a land of rare beauty, where vast plains alternate with gentle hills. Salento, the long, narrow strip of Puglia’s southern peninsula, extends between the Ionian and Adriatic seas. It’s an area rich with ancient olive groves and vines, enchanting beaches and jagged rocky shorelines, classic grottos (caves), and some of Italy’s best farmland. The narrow Salento peninsula is renowned for high-quality wine thanks to abundant ventilation, temperate weather, extreme diurnal shifts in summer, and limestone-rich soils. Over the last two decades, Cantele has implemented a cutting-edge “minimal intervention” system in its vineyards, thus ensuring freshness and varietal expression.

Verdeca — The White The origins of Verdeca are shrouded in mystery. It’s nearly impossible to say precisely where this grape variety came from. Probably, Verdeca was first brought to Puglia during the period of Greek colonization. Over the centuries, the grape has evolved and adapted to the unique growing conditions, which is why Verdeca is considered an indigenous grape variety of Puglia. The name Verdeca comes without a doubt from the green color of its skin and the green hints you can find in the glass; Verde means green in Italian. 

Primitivo — The Flavorful Primitivo from primitives (Lat.) and primitive (ital., synonym), representing “early ripening.” The overwhelming majority of Italy’s Primitivo vines are in Puglia, specifically in Salento, where the combination of white limestone and climate produce wines that are generous and rich in fruit and body. In the 1980’s, wine experts began to notice a resemblance between Zinfandel, Primitivo, and a grape from Croatia called Plavac Mali. DNA testing revealed a relationship with Croatia, and it is believed that from there, thanks to Vienna’s Austro-Hungarian influence, Zinfandel began its journey toward America. Typical flavors are ripe red cherry, strawberry jam, brandy-soaked plum, tobacco, herbs, and earth. 

Negroamaro — The Beautifully Balanced Negroamaro (Salice Salentino DOC)Negroamaro is one of the most essential varieties in Puglia, where it was mentioned as early as the 19th century. Its etymology and origin are disputed: Some authors suggest a simple etymology with Negroamaro meaning black-bitter, while others suppose a Greek etymology, black-black, referring to the dark color and revealing the historical link between Puglia and Greece, a grape variety that linked the two important Mediterranean cultures. The village folks in Puglia still call it Niuru Maru, and with its vibrant acidity, this grape varietal can enhance all the great flavors of dark fruit and earthy tones it can express. The popularity of Negroamaro only continues to grow among winemakers and wine lovers alike.

Amativo — The Impressive The name of this beautiful and expressive blend of the two most important red grapes from Puglia is also a blend of their names Negroamaro + Primitivo = Amativo. This critically acclaimed project by Cantele is made more “international style,” with the Negroamaro lending a structured depth, freshness, and earthiness to the wine. At the same time, the Primitivo adds balance with rich red fruit aromas. A marriage results in this impressive and delicious wine for the special occasions. Just in time for the holiday season…