Grilled Apulian bombette, oven-baked lamb with potatoes, orecchiette with meat ragù, grilled rib of beef, aged pecorino
Let's talk little, let's talk wine
Heracles Primitivo di Manduria 2022Masseria Surani
The Masseria Surani - Heracles Primitivo di Manduria cuvée comes from the Primitivo di Manduria appellation, in the heart of the Salento, near the Ionian coast, in southern Puglia. The Masseria Surani estate farms eighty hectares of vines here, trained in Guyot and organically grown. The fertile, permeable limestone soils are tinged with red ochre due to their high iron content. The hot, sunny Mediterranean climate is tempered by breezes from the Ionian Sea.
The Primitivo grapes are harvested when ripe, then fermentation takes place over twelve to fifteen days in stainless-steel tanks, at a controlled temperature, with three pump-overs a day to promote the extraction of colour and the structure of the wine. It is then aged for twelve months in oak barrels, which round out its tannins and add complexity to its generous fruit.
This wine reveals notes of violet, black cherry, morello cherry, strawberry, plum, liquorice, aromatic herbs and balsamic notes. The bouquet combines ripe fruit, flowers and herbaceous touches. The broad, fleshy and fruity palate rests on polished tannins and a fine line of freshness, through to a long finish.
Where are we traveling?
PugliaItaly
Puglia is a long, narrow wine region located in the extreme southeast of Italy's "boot." The heel (the Salento peninsula) occupies the southern half of the region. Not only are there cultural and geographical differences compared to northern Puglia, but the wines are also quite distinct. While the north is slightly more hilly and more closely tied to the winemaking customs and practices of central Italy, the south is almost entirely flat and maintains a strong connection to its Greco-Roman past.
The little history of the country
Italy
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!