PUGLIA 1

16/03/2014.

The  fifth edition of “Puglia Wine and Land” took place from the 16th till the 20th March 2014 at Savelletri di Fasano, Brindisi. This important international event brings to Puglia a prestigious group of international buyers from around the world, so they can explore the wine-regions and create business with the wineries.

So we can consolidate the reputation of Puglia’s wines across the five continents says Sebastiano de Corato, President of the consortium.

                              

Also journalist are taking part/ Charlotte Van Zummeren (Netherlands); Philippe Kampe (USA); Marta Wrześnieuwska (Poland); Dwight Casimere (USA); Petri Pellinen (Finland); Michael Ritter (Germany); Timé Dierickx (Belgium); Maria Pranzo (Hong Kong); Rod Philips (Canada); Michael Libert (Germany).

The event was hosted by two top-class venues: Masseria Torre Coccaro and Masseria Torre Maizza.

The presentation was done by the organisation “Movimento Turismo del Vino Puglia”, Italy

One could divide Puglia in tree main wine area’s:

1. To the North, from around Andria, you have the “Castel del Monte” area. The wines are mainly made from the “Nero di Troia” grape varieties. There are of course wines made from other grapes, but then only as DOC Castel del Monte and not DOC Nero di Troia, like you find wines from the Aglianico grapes. Andria is also the centre for “Burrato” cheese, olive oil and others.

2. To the Southwest, just above Taranto you find wines made from mainly the “Primitivo” grapes. Also so can find other wines from other grape varieties.

3. To the South-East, below Brindisi and Lecce, you arrive in the Salento area with wines mainly from the Negroamaro grapes..

Adding Montepulciano grapes into Nero di Troia wines is allowed for a max. of 15 % as everywhere in Italy, otherwise you can not call the wine DOC Nero di Troia but only DOC Castel del Monte

Puglia has 850 Km of coast line. The area where wines are cultivated is 87.591 Ha, 13 % of the national total, with a production of 5.691 Hl of wine, 34 % of the national total.

One could say they are in the deep South of Italy, so the wines are high on alcohol and typical South taste, almost burned. Nothing is less true because you have on the one side the Adriatic Sea, and on the other hand the Ionian Sea, which brings freshness to the area. In fact it is very much hotter in the North of Italy than in the South.

Also the grapes are harvested rather late, even till the end of October.

As told, the main grapes are Primitivo, Nero di Troia and Negroamaro;

• Nero di Troia means “black grape of Troia”, an ancient Puglia village.
• Primitivo means “the first”, because it is the first red grape to mature. In 1990 studies of the Viticulture Department of UC Davis proved that Primitivo and Zinfandel have similar DNA.
• Negroamaro comes from Latin and Greek words meaning “black”. It’s the oldest grape variety in Puglia (since 800 B.C.)

Other red grape varieties are mainly Aglianico, Susumaniello (rediscovered grape variety with deep purple colour and fruity bouquet), Aleatico (for great dessert wines), Montepulciano (mostly for blending with other grapes).

Main white grapes are: Bombino bianco (lively wines, simple and fresh, ideal for sparkling wines), Moscato Reale (aromatic mostly for dessert wines, typical sent of peach), Bianco D’Alessano (mostly for blending), Fiano (gives round wines with white or yellow tropical fruits), and Verdeca (Ancient grape, a little bit bitter with lovely greenish sensations, love this one)

The rosé wines are mainly made from Bombino nero and Negroamaro grapes.

After this presentation came a well deserved diner and a good night’s rest after the long journey.