Masseria delle Stelle Primitivo 2023

Originating from the sun-drenched lands of Puglia, in the heel of Italy's boot, this Primitivo is born around the town of Manduria, in the heart of the province of Taranto. The vineyard benefits from a warm Mediterranean climate, tempered by sea breezes from the Adriatic and Ionian Seas, which promote optimal grape ripeness. The soils, composed of limestone, red clay, and white stones, impart concentration and freshness to the fruit. This mosaic of terroirs gives the wine a generous and warm character, typical of southern Italy.

Primitivo grapes are harvested at optimal ripeness and then destemmed before maceration and fermentation in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks to preserve aromatic intensity and fruity richness. Regular pump-overs promote the gentle extraction of tannins and color. After alcoholic fermentation, the wine continues its vinification in stainless steel tanks, where it ages on its fine lees for several months, with periodic racking, before bottling to maintain freshness, suppleness, and the typical expression of the varietal.

This wine reveals notes of ripe black fruit , candied plum , and black cherry , enhanced by spicy touches of pepper and licorice , as well as delicate vanilla and toasty accents from aging. The palate is full and generous, with a velvety texture, moderate acidity that supports the fruit, supple , well-integrated tannins, and a lingering finish of sweet spices and Mediterranean warmth.

Ah, Italy, what a beautiful, hedonistic country, the land of la dolce vita, but how difficult it is to understand its wine industry! The key to understanding the appellation system in Italy is to think of it as several small countries rather than a single homogeneous nation, as each region has its own appellation system. Italy can offer wine lovers a multitude of wines with varied and unique flavors and styles, bottles brimming with surprise and creativity. Unfortunately, it also produces a large quantity of soulless, characterless wines sold under their most commercially useful and prestigious name: Pinot Grigio, Chianti, Valpolicella, Lambrusco, Prosecco, and many others... But let's talk a little history. Viticulture in Italy dates back to antiquity and originated in Greece. The Etruscans are said to have introduced the vine, and Greek immigrants improved and modified the grape varieties, subsequently calling the country "Oenotria": the land of wine. At the height of the Roman Empire, wine held an important place in daily life, and certain regions already distinguished themselves by the excellence of their product. The Romans also established numerous vineyards in Europe, leaving an indelible mark of their conquest. Today, Italy is the world's largest wine producer, ahead of France. Italy is divided into three climatic zones. The northern mountains have a rather harsh mountain climate. The plains of the "central boot" are characterized by a continental climate with cold winters and hot, stormy summers. In the southern part of the Italian boot, the Mediterranean climate prevails, with very hot and dry summers, not forgetting the islands of Sicily and Sardinia. In short, Italy produces a wide variety of wines thanks to its 200 different grape varieties, many of which originated in its own lands. It is a country as complex as its wines, which deserve to be explored!