PRIMITIVO DI MANDURIA VINE

The name of this plant comes from the early ripening of the grapes it produces. As with many other vines, the origins of the name are uncertain. Theories about how they came to Puglia vary: some say it was with the Phoenicians, Illyrians or Benedictine monks who came from Burgundy in the seventeenth century. The first area where they were cultivated, and therefore the one that was specially chosen, was Salento. From there it spread across the province of Taranto, where it is today one of the most grown vines. But its success is particularly linked to the Manduria area, where it is 100% DOC. The real detective story connected with this vine, however, is one that goes beyond Italy’s borders because of the similarity of this vine and its grapes with other varieties grown in the world. In 1968, an American professor from the University of California noticed that there was a close similarity between the Primitivo vine and those of California, and more generally, the Zinfandel grown in America since the nineteenth century. This episode triggered a series of research studies by Italian, American and Yugoslav scientists who discovered degrees of genetic kinship between vines of these and other geographical areas, which to date have not yet provided any certainty about where the original strain came into being or how it might have migrated overseas.

“PRIMITIVO DI MANDURIA WINE”

The grape (preferably as a single-varietal) variety used exclusively for vinification produces a wine of intense purple-ruby colour with aromas of ripe red fruits such as currants and cherries, and berry and plum conserve. Elegant spicy taste with sweet aromas of tobacco. The wine improves considerably when aged. We also produce Dolce Naturale, Liquoroso Dolce and Liquoroso Secco types where the alcoholic content can reach 17-18 proof.