Salice Salento DOC
Winner: Gold Medal
2008 Southern Italian Wine Conference
- Country: Italy
- Region: Apulia
- District: Salento
- Varietals: 80% Negroamaro blended with 20% Malvasia Nera
- Varietals: Single vineyard and single vintage
- Alcohol: 13.0%
- Aging: Up to 3 months in stainless steel followed by minimum 6 months in French oak barrels
- Bottle: 750ml
Winemaker: Cantine Rizzello
Wine Notes:
The most well known of the classic southern Italian red wines from Apulia, this Mastri Vinai Salice blend is a younger, fresher version of the classic DOC that is aged much longer.
This wine hails from the renowned wine producing region of Salento and is named after Salice Salentino, a small town in the southern part of Apulia that is situated to the north of Lecce in an area of vineyards and olive orchards with scattered farmhouses and ancient towers. It is bounded with the province of Taranto to the northwest and the province of Brindisi to the north, on the peninsula.
Salice Salentino is made from Negroamaro for the most part and blended with Malvasia Nera, and the vineyards of this southern part of Apulia have been planted almost exclusively in Negroamaro for centuries.
This wine is part of an assortment of wines that have been researched and developed over many years, since the 6th century B.C. in-fact, to accentuate the intrinsic value of the Apulia region were the Negroamaro grape is the jewel of all grapes in the region.
Winemaker Notes:
At sight this wine is a deep purple red color. The bouquet is full with the austerity of Negroamaro and the gentle sweetness of Malvasia Nera. The delicious nose has a slight scent of the oak barrels with ripe red fruit, licorice, and hints of green figs. The taste is smooth on the palate with nice tannins that are well balanced with the fresh acidity of the wine, and a pleasant fruity body that fills the mouth, leading to a long, pleasant and fulfilling finish.
This wine can be enjoyed young and becomes more refined for 2 to 3 years.
At its best when opened 30 minutes or longer prior to serving.
Pairing:
Pairs well with roasted meats, barbeque, pasta, fried fish, shellfish, and risotto.
