Primitivo
Primitivo is a black grape variety widespread above all in southern Italy, where it finds the ideal conditions to thrive. It seems that the name of Primitivo derives from the term Primativus used in ancient times to indicate the premature ripening of grapes certified in the Apulian area. The probable arrival in Apulia thanks to the Illyrian people makes it a historically very dated vine. Showing a compact cluster, Primitivo shows great sensitivity to humidity and that is why its diffusion in ventilated areas can help its correct growth without the risk of mould. Highly productive, Primitivo is widespread in the Salento areas, in the provinces of Lecce and Taranto. Also interesting is the genetic similarity of Primitivo with the Zinfandel widespread in California which gives particularly soft and enveloping wines. Only for a few decades, given the great ability to develop a recognizable aromatic complexity, Primitivo is not only used as a blending grape but vinified in purity and in compliance with the best cellar practices. Widespread with more than 12,000 ht between the regions of Apulia, Abruzzo, Campania and Basilicata, Primitivo appears as a grape of some important appellations such as: Primitivo di Manduria, Salento, Apulia, Salento del Massico, Gioia del Colle, Gravina. Intense ruby red colour, tends to garnet with aging. The nose is dominated by red and black fruit, such as blueberries, black cherry, plum, while the ability to age in wood leads the wine to develop spicy aromas of pepper and licorice, complementing it with aromas of cocoa and tobacco dust. Soft in the tannic contribution, it is a full and enveloping wine, capable of guaranteeing great persistence. Some refined versions can also be considered meditation.
Primitivo di Manduria
The spread of Primitivo in the area of Manduria is already attested by Pliny the Elder, despite the entry of this vine into the Italian peninsula can be traced back to the Illyrians who decided to spread it before the Roman era. The discreet trade towards the East of the area's wines was so intense in the Middle Ages that the name 'Brindisi', a city famous for its port, could soon represent, as it will be in modern usage, a wish anticipated by the drinking of good wine. From the Murge area, Primitivo begins to spread in Salento, finding ideal conditions for early ripening: a substantial difference compared to the wines produced in the Gioia del Colle area and consisting of greater body and alcohol content, probably developed for higher temperatures and better conditions for the maturation of the sugars, it was not enough to save Primitivo from its use as a blending wine intended mainly for the French market. Primitivo prefers clayey-calcareous soils and is particularly affected by drought conditions. With a harvest usually carried out at the end of August, the bunches are harvested by hand and the vinification takes place immediately to preserve the integrity of the fruit. Of the 900 ht included in the Primitivo di Manduria appellation, about half are dedicated to the cultivation of the Primitivo grape, while the remainder is dedicated to Negroamaro and Malvasia. The production disciplinary of Primitivo di Manduria DOC provides for a maximum yield of 9 tons per hectare with a yield of grapes not exceeding 70%, the origin of the grapes from company vineyards, the presence of Primitivo for at least 85%. Primitivo di Manduria has an intense ruby red colour and releases aromas of plum and red fruits on the nose that evolve into cocoa, tobacco and oriental spices for a strong body, soft and pleasant tannins, great persistence and roundness.
What are the characteristics of Primitivo?
Primitivo is a grape capable of guaranteeing representative and territorial wines. It lends itself well to the creation of blends, but best expresses its characteristics even when vinified alone. Among the characteristics of Primitivo it is possible to identify a great richness of fruit which is expressed in terms of aromatic fragrance and extract. It is able to guarantee full-bodied and full-bodied wines, with very evident hints of plum, blackberry, strawberry, cocoa, licorice, tobacco. Long sip and great compactness on the palate.
Which food does Primitivo go best with?
Served at a temperature of 18-20°, Primitivo lends itself to many combinations of regional and national cuisine. In the less refined versions, it can accompany meat sauces, legumes and medium-aged cheeses. The best combination for a Primitivo with body and structure can consist of grilled meats, sheep, lamb or boar stewed or baked. The younger versions are also suitable for first courses with meat sauces or legume soups. A very convincing combination leads it to accompany cold cuts and grilled vegetables.
What is the alcohol content of Primitivo?
Primitivo is rich in sugars and therefore able to develop a high alcohol content. The production disciplinary sets the minimum alcohol content at 13.5% for the Primitivo di Manduria, while it is 14% for the Primitivo di Manduria Riserva version.
Salento IGP Primitivo Saracena 2023 Masseria Borgo dei Trulli
Saracena by Borgo dei Trulli red wine is made from Primitivo grapes and is born in vineyards located in the municipality of Maruggio in the locality of Saracena, in the province of Taranto.
The grapes are harvested by hand in early-mid-September, and then placed in a drying room to dry at a controlled temperature. They are then de-stemmed and vinified as a whole grape. Alcoholic fermentation takes place in thermo-regulated steel tanks and lasts for 8–10 days. Malolactic fermentation is then induc...
View product pagePuglia Primitivo IGT Neprica 2023 Tormaresca
Nèprica Primitivo rises from the vineyards of Tormaresca that extend along the Adriatic coast of Puglia, contained between the pine forests and the sea. The company's goal is to produce great wines from the region's native vines.
It is produced exclusively with Primitivo grapes. After crushing, the must ferments in stainless steel for 8-10 days at a temperature kept below 26 ° C. After the malolactic fermentation, the wine first ages in steel for 8 months and for another 4 months in the bottle.
It...
View product pagePrimitivo di Manduria DOC Villa Santera 2023 Leone de Castris
Villa Santera comes from the vineyards of the famous Leone De Castris company, located on the eastern coasts of Apulia, in the heart of the Primitivo di Manduria DOC.
This wine is produced entirely with Primitivo di Manduria grapes, harvested in the first ten days of September. Maceration and fermentation take place at a temperature of about 20-22 °C, followed by aging in barrels for at least 6 months and for another 3 months in the bottle, before being put on the market.
It has a dark red colour,...
View product pagePuglia IGT Primitivo 2023 Salsedine
The Puglia Primitivo produced by the Salsedine winery is a true homage to the Puglia region, a territory rich in traditions and passion for viticulture, capable of offering a unique sensorial journey through the most famous grape variety of the region.
The manual harvest of the grapes takes place in the first half of September, with the bunches being harvested when ideal ripening conditions are reached. The must ferments with maceration for approximately 48 hours on the skins at a controlled temp...
View product pagePuglia IGT Primitivo Alchymia 2023 Duca di Saragnano
Alchymia is a pure Primitivo which aims to represent the true essence of a territory.
It is produced with a controlled temperature fermentation in steel for 8-10 days. Malolactic fermentation and aging for 6 months in new Slavonian oak barrels follow.
Very intense and full ruby red, almost impenetrable. It offers a warm and enveloping bouquet of ripe red fruit to the nose, among which cherry and black cherry stand out. In the mouth it is a complex and structured wine, with a velvety consistency.
Su...
View product pageSalento IGT Primitivo Sé 2023 Gianfranco Fino
Se by Gianfranco Fino is a Primitivo produced in the Manduria area, in Puglia, from vineyards cultivated with traditional Puglian sapling on clayey-limestone soils. The Mediterranean climate, with the sea breeze from the Ionian and the warm sun of Puglia, lends the wine intensity and aromatic richness, while maintaining a pleasant freshness.
The harvest is carried out manually with careful selection of the bunches, transported in refrigerated trucks to preserve their integrity. After destemming a...
View product pagePrimitivo di Manduria DOP Lu Rappaio 2023 Masca del Tacco
Primitivo di Manduria Lu Rappaio di Masca del Tacco is produced in Puglia from sapling vines that grow on flat soils rich in iron and limestone, influenced by sea winds.
The vinification takes place in steel vats at a controlled temperature, followed by a period of aging in steel and barrels of different woods.
In the glass the wine appears ruby red with purple hints. On the nose there are hints of violets, wild blackberries, ripe strawberries and rosemary. The sip is soft and structured.
Ideal wit...
View product pagePrimitivo di Manduria DOC Passo del Cardinale 2023 Paolo Leo
The Primitivo di Manduria Passo del Cardinale by Paolo Leo was born in vineyards located between the villages of Manduria and Sava, in the province of Taranto.
It is produced exclusively with Primitivo grapes, harvested and selected entirely by hand at the first hours of dawn. Fermentation takes place in stainless steel at a controlled temperature of 25 ° C for 8-10 days. Subsequently the wine ages for 3 months in American oak barrels and for 6 months in steel, before being bottled.
The Passo del ...
View product pagePuglia IGP Primitivo 2023 Paolo Leo
Paolo Leo's Primitivo Puglia is a red wine from the rural area of Sava and Manduria, located in the province of Taranto. The vines are grown on medium-textured soil. The harvest is carried out manually in the last ten days of August in small 5 kg boxes.
Winemaking begins with destemming of the grapes, followed by fermentation in stainless steel tanks at a controlled temperature of 22-24°C for 8-10 days. The process includes daily pumping over, followed by malolactic fermentation. The wine ages in...
View product pageSalento Primitivo IGT Danza delle Spade 2023 Montemajor
Danza delle Spade is a Primitivo that was born in Salento, from a 100% Primitivo grape. It loves deep and medium-textured, clayey and calcareous soils, which give this wine excellent minerality. It is harvested in September, while it vinifies with cold maceration for about 2 weeks at controlled temperature. It carries out malolactic fermentation, then ages in steel.
Satisfy the sight with its purplish red color while giving the nose precious hints of undergrowth. On the palate it confirms the alr...
View product pagePrimitivo di Manduria DOC 2023 Notte Rossa
This Primitivo di Manduria rises in vineyards located in the heart of the Salento peninsula, on a medium-grained clayey soil characterized by rather high temperatures and low rainfall.
It is produced only from Primitivo grapes, harvested in the second week of September. After a controlled temperature maceration of about 10 days, the fermentation takes place in steel with selected yeasts. Then it is aged in French and American oak barriques for a period of 5-6 months.
It has a ruby red color with a...
View product pagePrimitivo di Manduria DOC 2023 Notte Rossa


Puglia IGP Primitivo Maccone 2023 Donato Angiuli
The red wine of Angiuli Donato belongs to the Maccone line and comes from the vineyards located in the municipality of Acquaviva, in the province of Bari.
The wine is made from 100% Primitivo grapes, which are harvested by hand in mid-September. These are softly pressed and macerated with a submerged cap and fermentation at a controlled temperature, for a duration of 10 days. The wine is subsequently aged in steel.
Ruby red in color with violet reflections, the nose stands out above all for the fr...
View product pagePrimitivo di Manduria DOC Il Rosso dei Vespa 2023 Vespa Vignaioli per Passione
The Primitivo di Manduria The Rosso dei Vespa was born in vineyards in the Tarantino municipality of Manduria, in the heart of the famous Apulian DOC Primitivo.
It is produced with 100% Primitivo grapes, harvested and selected entirely by hand at the end of September. Fermentation takes place, with maceration in contact with the skins for 10 days, in stainless steel tanks at controlled temperature. After malolactic fermentation, the wine ages for 6 months in barriques of Never and Tronçais before...
View product pagePrimitivo di Manduria DOP 2023 Masseria Borgo dei Trulli
This red wine from Borgo dei Trulli is made from Primitivo grapes and is born in vineyards located in the municipalities of Avetrana and Manduria, in the province of Taranto.
The grapes are harvested by hand at the end of August, to then be de-stemmed and vinified as a whole grape. Alcoholic fermentation takes place in thermo-regulated steel tanks and lasts for 8–10 days. Malolactic fermentation is then induced, followed by the ageing of 40% of the wine in French and American oak barrels for 8 mo...
View product pagePuglia IGP Primitivo Appassimento 2023 Maxale
The Appassimento Primitivo Maxale is produced from grapes from Campania and Puglia.
The grapes are harvested between September and October, after a drying period of 50% of the grapes. The grapes are vinified in steel at a controlled temperature. 25% of the wine then ages in American and French barriques for 12 months.
In the glass the wine has an intense ruby color. The nose releases pleasant hints of blueberries, cherries and raspberries, as well as notes of spices and toasting. On the palate it ...
View product pagePuglia IGP Primitivo 2023 Zensa
Primitivo di Zensa is an organic red wine from Salento.
The grapes are harvested by hand at the end of August. Fermentation takes place on the whole grape for 8-10 days in temperature-controlled steel vats. This is followed by malolactic fermentation with lactic bacteria. 30% of the wine is aged for 12 months in French and American oak barriques.
Intense ruby red colour, complex aromas to the nose, starting with that of cherries, small dried fruits and roasted almonds. The palate is smooth and sil...
View product pageSalento IGT Primitivo 2023 Notte Rossa
This Primitivo di Notte Rossa pays homage to the vineyards of Salento, kissed by the bright sun and caressed by the magical sea breeze.
The grapes, 100% Primitivo, come from vineyards located at an altitude of about 100 m ASL planted on deep and clayey soils. The vinification takes place entirely in steel, after the grapes have been harvested at the beginning of September.
It is intense in its ruby red hue. The scent is reminiscent of plum and cherries, scents of rosemary and vanilla. In the mouth...
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