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.
Primitivo di Manduria Riserva DOC Collezione del Conte 2018 Villa da Filicaja
The Primitivo di Manduria Riserva from the Conte Filicaja Collection comes from the limestone soils of northern Salento.
Obtained from pure Primitivo grapes, it is the result of a fermentation with maceration for 8-10 days at controlled temperature. After the malolactic fermentation in stainless steel, the wine stays for 10-12 months between American and French oak barriques.
It appears in the ruby red color glass with purple reflections. On the nose there are evident scents of dark fruit, includi...
View product pagePrimitivo di Manduria Riserva DOC 2018 Masseria Ficarigna
Primitivo Manduria Riserva is one of the wines that best embodies Masseria Ficarigna's commitment to enhancing the value of the Salento land. Its name is inspired by one of the most symbolic fruits of the region, namely the prickly pear, which originated in Mexico. The snake depicted on the label recalls an ancient Aztec legend according to which nomads from the north would stop their journey when they came across a prickly pear plant growing out of a crevice in a rock with an eagle feeding on a...
View product pagePrimitivo di Manduria Riserva DOC 2018 Masseria Ficarigna





Primitivo di Manduria DOC 2022 Masseria Ficarigna
The Primitivo di Manduria of Masseria Ficarigna was born from the love for the Salento land and from the intent to enhance it starting from its wines. The name of the winery is inspired by one of the symbolic fruits of the region, namely the prickly pear, originally from Mexico. The snake depicted on the label recalls an ancient Aztec legend according to which nomads from the north used to interrupt their journey when they encountered a prickly pear plant that rose from the cleft of a rock with ...
View product pagePrimitivo di Manduria DOC 2022 Masseria Ficarigna



Salento Primitivo IGT 2022 Masseria Ficarigna
This Salento Primitivo from Masseria Ficarigna is an example of the qualitative excellence produced in the Salento region, of which the winery becomes an ambassador. The name Ficarigna is in fact the Salento translation of the prickly pear fruit which symbolizes Salento in the collective imagination.
After the manual harvest of the fully ripe grapes, we proceed to fermentation at a controlled temperature. The wine is aged for 12 months in barrique before being bottled.
In the glass it has a deep r...
View product pageSalento Primitivo IGT 2022 Masseria Ficarigna



Primitivo di Manduria DOC Riserva 2021 Doppio Passo
This Primitivo di Manduria Riserva is produced by the Doppio Passo brand, a tribute to Carlo and Maria Botter who, together, founded the company in 1928, building it step by step, day after day, working together to achieve a common goal.
The wine is made from 100% Primitivo grapes, which are harvested by hand. The grapes are destemmed before carrying out the pre-fermentation maceration at 12-14 °C, followed by fermentation, with maceration lasting 15-20 days at a controlled temperature (25-27°C)....
View product pagePrimitivo di Manduria DOC Riserva 2021 Doppio Passo




Puglia IGT Uno di Uno Rosé 2024 Lupo Meraviglia
The Primitivo rosato Uno di Uno Rosé Lupo Meraviglia is inspired with its label by the coat of arms of the city of Lecce, located just behind the "Masseria", which represents a wolf under an holm oak tree.
The must of the Primitivo grapes are left to macerate in contact with the skins for 12 hours, then softly pressed and fermented at 16-18 ° C in steel vats. The wine is then stored at 17-18 ° C always in steel until it is bottled.
Rosy in color, the nose reveals aromas of rose and violet, blueber...
View product pagePuglia IGT Primitivo 2024 Doppio Passo
This Primitivo is a product of the Doppio Passo brand, a tribute to Carlo and Maria Botter who, together, founded the company in 1928, building it step by step, day after day, working together to achieve a common goal.
The wine is made from 100% Primitivo grapes, which are harvested at two different times, at maturity and at a later time. Once in the cellar, the grapes are vinified in steel vats at a controlled temperature. Subsequently it refines for a few months on the fine lees before being bo...
View product pagePuglia IGT Primitivo 2024 Doppio Passo


Primitivo di Manduria DOP Sessantanni Old Vines 2019 San Marzano
The Primitivo di Manduria Sessantanni Old Vines di San Marzano is born in vineyards located in the municipalities of San Marzano and Sava.
It is produced exclusively with Primitivo grapes, harvested by hand towards the second half of September. Fermentation takes place in rotovinifiers at a controlled temperature of 24-26 ° C for about 10-15 days. Subsequently the wine is aged in barrique for 12 months before being bottled.
Sessantanni Old Vines is characterized by an intense ruby red color. The n...
View product pagePuglia IGT Primitivo 2024 Botter
This organic Primitivo is produced by the Botte, which since 1928 has dedicated itself to the production of iconic Italian wines.
Primitivo grapes are vinified using the traditional "submerged cap" system, with maceration lasting 12–15 days at a controlled temperature (max 25 °C). Ageing takes place both in steel and in barrels.
Intense purple in colour, the wine is expressed on the nose with notes of cherry and plum jam, in addition to notes of tobacco, coffee and vanilla. The taste is well struc...
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 pagePuglia IGT Primitivo 2024 Doppio Passo
The Primitivo bag in box is a product of the Doppio Passo brand, a tribute to Carlo and Maria Botter who, together, founded the company in 1928, building it step by step, day after day, working together to achieve a common goal.
The wine is made from 100% Primitivo grapes, which are harvested at two different times, at maturity and at a later time. Once in the cellar, the grapes are vinified in steel vats at a controlled temperature. Subsequently it refines for a few months on the fine lees befor...
View product pagePrimitivo di Manduria DOP Mirea 2022 Masseria Borgo dei Trulli
Primitivo Appassimento Mirea by Borgo dei Trulli is born in vineyards located in the municipality of Maruggio, in the province of Taranto.
The grapes are harvested by hand in mid-September, 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 ageing of the wine in French oak barrels for 10 months.
Dark ruby red in colour, the nose reveals aromas of dehydr...
View product pageSalento 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...
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