PUGLIA 3

PUGLIA  3

18/03:  After the rather “short” night, but with a good breakfast for our strength, it was time to discover the Salento region of Puglia.

The most important grape variety in the Salento area is of course the Negroamaro.

The origin of the name leaves absolutely no doubt about the identity of this purple-black colored grape. Negroamaro derives from “Niger” in Latin and “Maru” in Greek, both meaning black.

The excellent grapes and olives in this area are accompanied by fruit, tobacco, sunflowers, herbs and other vegetables.

The first visit for today was at the winery Tenuta di Eméra in Guagnano.

We ware welcomed by the lovely daughter Alessandra Quarta. Eméra makes also part of Magistravini. Beside some marvelous wines the winery includes an original private museum cut out of the old concrete wine-tanks, so you can walk true the concrete cellars to visit the museum. Also is the interior of the estate painted by the great artist Ercole Pignatelli.

The name Eméra comes from its geographical location in the Salento area. In fact it is Italian for the Greek goddess Hemera, personification of the day.

The wines we tasted:

• At the start of the visit we had a beautiful refreshment in the way of a nice Spumante rosé extra dry, named Jaracando, which was very welcome after a rather long drive. Made from the Vitis Hellenica, introduced by the Greeks between the 7^th and 6^th century BC, later changed to Aglianico under the Spanish rule during the 16^th century. Made according the “Charmat” way the wine is nice salmon-pink and produce fine persistent bubbles. Aromas of fine white fruit, strawberry and green apple, crispy on the palette, very nice appetizer.

• Amure, Puglia bianco Fiano, PGI: (means amore) 85% Fiano; clear straw yellow colour, white fruit and citrus, fresh and pleasant with a nice finish.

• Rose, Lizzano Rosato, DOP, 100%Negroamaro; Nice rosé colour, floral and fruity notes, refreshing on the palate with a good length.

• Anima di Negroamaro, Lizzano Rosso, DOP, 100% Negroamaro; Intense dark red wine very good ripe fruit and berry’s with a hint of spices. Very full and complex in the mouth with complexity and roundness, good finish.

• Anima di Primitivo, Primitivo di Manduria, DOP, 100% Primitivo; Intense ruby red colour, a basket of ripe fruit, plums and cherry’s, sensation of different tastes, great wine.

• SUDdelSUD, Salento Rosso, IGP, Negroamaro, Primitivo, Merlot, Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon; intense ruby red, aromas of ripe red fruit and plums, very aromatic, great on the palate. Modern international wine.

• Orio di Eméra, Primitivo di Manduria, DOP, 100% Primitivo,; for the lovers of high alcohol and rather sweet wine.

Sadly enough came an end to this great visit, we had to move to the next stop in Monteroni di Lecce to visit the winery Apollonio and take the lunch.

Somewhere on the way I lost my notes of the wines we tasted but I recall that the simple wines ware made very commercial but I recall also some important great wines.

Again because of shortness on time we almost didn't visit the beautiful city of Lecce. Because of personal interest on business and an appointment I made in the city, following the original planning, I insisted and we came to an agreement to visit the city shortly so I could meet my appointment. Thank you.

We had to transfer to the Masseria Torre Maizza for the workshop “Wine & Land” to meet some of the producers, local authorities and the press. Wine tasting from all over the region.

We could taste some wines together with the producers, some more important than the others, but there must be difference on the wine-market, wines for everyone. Some of the producers we tasted ware Feudi di Guagnano, D’Alfonso del Sordo, Jorche, etc…

In the evening we went back to our hotel “Masseria Torre Coccaro” for diner with all the participating producers and the local authorities.

In view of the luxury standard of the Masseria, diner was not up to the same standard.

Good night.