Vineka Negroamaro 2023

Vineka was born in 2016 with the aim of promoting the excellence of the wines of Puglia, from Salento and the Itria Valley. Guglielmo Zito, the founder of the estate, is a man born in and committed to his region: Puglia. A philosophy deeply rooted in the land, in the geographical and cultural protection of the Itria Valley. He puts it into practice every day through careful work in his vineyards and on his wines. The vines are cultivated by intervening as little as possible in the natural life cycle of the plant. The winemaking aims to reveal the imprint of the local grape varieties and terroirs while keeping finesse and drinkability.

Made from 100% Negroamaro grapes, the harvest is carried out with the greatest care: strictly by hand. The maceration of the must is made unique by the presence of almond husks, another precious fruit of the Itria Valley. Fermentation takes place in stainless-steel tanks with measured tannin extraction to preserve drinkability. This wine reveals notes of black berries, plums, blackberries, raspberry, wild herbs and balsamic nuances. The palate is smooth and elegant, rounded by moderate alcohol and fine, smooth tannins.

Ah Italy, what a beautiful hedonistic country, people of the Dolce Vita, but what difficulty in understanding its wine organization! The key to understanding the naming system in Italy is to think of it as several small countries rather than a single homogeneous country because each region has its own naming system. Italy can, however, give wine lovers a multitude of wines with varied and unique flavors and styles, as well as bottles filled with surprise and creativity. Unfortunately, it also produces a large quantity of soulless and characterless wines which are sold under their most useful and commercially reputable name: Pinot Grigio, Chianti, Valpolicella, Lambrusco, Prosecco and many others...



But let's talk a little history, viticulture in Italy dates back to ancient times and it originated in Greece. The Etruscans would have planted vines and Greek immigrants would have improved and modified the grape varieties who subsequently called this country "Oenotria": the country of wine. At the height of the Roman Empire, wine held an important place in daily life and certain regions already stood out for the excellence of their product. The Romans also established numerous vineyards in Europe, leaving an indelible testimony to their invasion.



Today Italy is the largest wine producer in the world, ahead of France. Italy is divided into three climatic areas. The northern mountains experience a fairly harsh mountain climate. The “middle of the boot” plain is the domain of the continental climate with cold winters and hot, stormy summers. In the "southern part of the Italian boot" the Mediterranean climate reigns with very hot and very dry summers without forgetting the islands of Sicily and Sardinia. In summary, Italy produces wines of great variety thanks to its 200 different grape varieties, many of which originate from their lands. It is a country just as complex as its wines which deserve to be explored!