PUGLIA 2

PUGLIA  2

17/03: After a delicious breakfast, we started our tour around Puglia to the Terre di Federico area that extends from the Daunia to the Murgia, home to the most important monuments reminding the close bond between Emperor Frederick II and Puglia.

The wines are mostly made from the Nero di Troia variety, and for the most part DOCG and IGT wines in the region.

We had to visit different wine houses, and the first one was already a shot in the rose. We ware welcomed by Sebastiano De Corato, president of the consortium:

Rivera: The wines we tasted:

Marese 2013, Bombino bianco: Fresh and fruity, yellow ripe fruit, melon, peach and a good acidity. Nice starter, for aperitif or on terrace.

Pugnirosa 2013, Bombino nero: nice salmon pink colour with touches of violet, nice fruit, very enjoyable. First rosé wine promoted to DOCG-wine.

Violante 2011, Nero di Troia: ruby red with light rim, good fruit to flowery, ripe tannins, good content, nice foodie wine. Made with a bit of micro-oxygenation.

Il Falcone 2008, 70 % Nero di Troia, 30 % Montepulciano: Intense red, complex nose of (to) ripe fruit, leather, tobacco and spices, great structure, to warm (southern) for me, for this sort of wine-lovers.

Puer Apuliae 2008, Nero di Troia: single vineyard, Puer Apuliae was one of the names Frederick II was known. Deep purple red, rich aroma’s of deep red ripe fruit and violets. Very rich and concentrated also in the mouth with rich ripe fruit and good length and aftertaste, soft and sophisticated tannins.

Piani di Tufara 2012, Moscato di Trani DOC: 100 % Moscato Reale: Very nice golden yellow, classic Moscato nose, rich and complex, good balance, sweet but enough acidity.

After this delicious start we went to the winery of Torrevento for tasting and lunch.

Torrevento:

After a tour around the estate and the presentation of the estate we started the buffet lunch with the wine tasting beside, because of lack of time as we experienced during our stay in Puglia. However this is not a problem like it would be in Belgium.

MareMosso 2013, Bombino bianco, bianco frizzante: nice aperitif, nothing to search for but also nothing wrong with it.

MareMosso 2013, Bombino nero, rosé frizzante: for aperitif or antipasta. No commercial possibilities in Belgium, I think.

Kebir 2011, Nero di Troia and Cabernet sauvignon: modern style Italian wine, deep red, discreet nose with vanilla, smooth complex taste, spicy and good aftertaste.

Vigna Pedale 2011, Nero di Troia: great wine with red berries, good length. Perfect with roasted meat or mature cheeses.

Ottagono , Castel del Monte, Nero di Troia, Riserva 2011 DOCG, Just released for Vinitaly, we ware first to taste this wine, deep dark red colour with purple reflections, persistent bouquet of dark red fruit and berries and spicy. Full bodied and great on the pallet, fruity finish with noble soft tannins. Marvelous wine.

After this “light buffet lunch” we went to visit the octagonal castle of Castel del Monte.

Then we went to the old picturesque city of Trani with its fishing boats at the docks and a lively fish market along the harbor with fresh fish.

The old inner city is nicely preserved with extraordinary buildings and squares.

We had a long way walking back to the bus because it could not enter the old city, to work of our “light lunch”,  for the next stage, diner in Conversano at a Michelin star restaurant.

So, quit late, we arrived in restaurant Pashà in Conversano.

Very often I have problems with Michelin starred restaurants in Italy, and this time I was not alone, the best we had to eat this evening was the starter, (1st course). Perhaps it was we ware in a group of 14 persons. Although I have to say they have an incredible wine-list. 

This was richly compensated with the lovely company of Francesca Rizzi, responsible for the wine house Castel di Salve with their wines . Here part of our group with on the left Francesca Rizzi.

• The white wine Santi Medici from the Verdeca and Malvasia bianca grapes, was a refreshing starter (and medicine), to the diner with the Camomile brioche-crouton, smoked stracciatella, anchovy and confit cherry tomatoes.

• With the first course, Mullet filet, foie gras, caramelized celery and quince jam, came the wine Armécolo, a Rosso Salento with 80% Negroamaro and Malvasia di Lecce. A nice fruity wine with raspberry and cherry’s. Good harmonious flavor and length.

• With the farfalle pasta and fresh ricotta, sea urchin in march-mandarin fragrance came the wine “Il Volo di Alessandro”, a Rosso Puglia IGT of 100%  Sangiovese grapes. Sent of prunes, blackberry’s, cinnamon and spices, aromatic and warm feeling.

• Followed by hand-made burned wheat-orechiette pasta, cabbage, bacon and “canestrato” cheese fondue, accompanied by the wine “Priante”, a Rosso Salento IGT from 50% Negroamaro and Montepulciano. Good ripe fruit and spices, a hint of balsamic, nice body and structure, good lovely taste and length.

• To follow came rabbit, artichokes and white truffle from Basilicata, this was served with the wine “Cento su Cento”, Rosso Salento IGT with 100% Primitivo grapes. Nice ripe dark red fruit, spices and vanilla. Full body and harmony with length. Very good wine.

• Then followed dessert but was almost unanimous replaced by a good coffee because of the late hour.

So after a good days work with nice visits and good wines we ended up in bed by 01:30.

Good night.