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Tasting Guide to the Wines of Puglia!

May 25 2018

Happy National Wine Day!

Wines of Puglia

It’s National Wine Day and we’re here to guide you through Italy’s 2nd largest wine producing region, Puglia of course!

The Terroir of Puglia

The regions richly fertile soils and beautiful climate make it a no-brainer as an option for growing grapes. Puglia has a relatively hot and dry climate that’s tempered by cool breezes from the surrounding water, resulting in expressive and delicious wines. The incredibly diverse geography of the region produces wines that are endlessly varied in terroir. Puglia currently has 29 DOC and 4 DOCG wine regions, mostly concentrated in the Salento region at the very heel of Italy’s boot.

Over the past few years, Puglia has gone through some major changes in the quality of their wines due to caring producers and new regulations. Once quantity focused, the region now has winemakers who want to show the world how amazing Apulian wines can be.

If you love Italian wines, this is definitely the region to keep your eyes on.  Look no further than this list for a foundation in major Apulian vino! While this list isn’t exhaustive as there are many grape varieties found in the region, these are the major grapes you will come across when you first dive into the beautiful world of Pugliese glou-glou!

RED WINE

Red wines are the bread and butter of Puglia, making up most of the region’s wine.  If you like fruit forward, full red wines then this is the region for you!  And rosé fans? Many of these grapes make some of the best rosés in Italy as well!

Negroamaro

The name Negroamaro means “black bitter” in Italian.  The grapes are in fact quite dark in color, and wines made from Negroamaro will typically have a distinct bitter profile.  The grape is well suited to Puglia’s climate with its thick skins and drought resistant nature. Many Apulian rosés are typically made from Negroamaro.

Wine Profile:  Ruby-Violet in color.  Aromas of red cherry, tobacco, and licorice that transition into black pepper, prune, and herbaceous notes with age.  Flavors typically of ripe blackberry and tobacco. Full bodied with soft tannin. This wine is best between 3-7 years old but can be had with up to 10 years of age.  It can be drunk at room temperature, but a slight chill is also pleasantly refreshing.

Food Pairing: lamb, grilled tuna, red sauces, spicy antipasti

Primitivo

Primitivo is the same grape as California Zinfandel.  The name means “early ripening” in old Italian, a name true to its typically early harvest in August.  The grape is less robust than Negramaro, being sensitive to drought, high temperatures, and frost. Primitivo has a naturally high sugar content and its wine was traditionally praised for its high alcohol content (it can reach upward to 18% ABV!).  The intense aromatics have garnered Primitivo popularity in modern times.

Wine Profile:  Aromas of sour and black cherry as well as raspberry.  Taste is jammy black fruit with low acidity and moderate tannin as long as it sees a little barrel time.

Food Pairing:  grilled meat and poultry, sausage, red sauce, strong cheeses

Nero di Troia

This black skinned grape is perfectly at home in the northern part of Puglia, especially Foggia and northern Bari.  This late-ripening variety has two growing styles: large berry, tight cluster which is suitable for high yields, and small berry, loose cluster which is suited for high quality.  The relatively high astringency of the grape makes it common in red blends.

Wine Profile: Aromas of cherry, violets, and tobacco.  Taste is dry with medium acidity and variable, but typically high tannins.

Food Pairing: fava beans and chicory, rabbit ragu, grilled chicken

WHITE WINE

Though Puglia is most known for red wines that make up the majority of production in the area, one cannot ignore the beautiful white wines coming from the region as well.  The hot and dry climate of Puglia produces crisp dry white wines made for easy drinking blends.

Verdeca

Verdeca is a white grape grown almost exclusively in Puglia but is slowly falling out of favor in the wine world.  It is a very neutral flavored grape and historically was most commonly used in vermouth production. Now it is typically found in blends. But don’t count Verdeca out! It’s very easy drinking and refreshing with notes of citrus, pineapple, and bergamot.

Wine Profile:  Color is straw yellow with a touch of green.  It has a clean minerality that’s almost flinty, with herbal and citrus notes.  Due to acidity, drink young.

Food Pairing: clams, calamari, meat pastries, light cheeses

Bombino Bianco

Bombino Bianco is an easy growing, resistant grape varietal with high yields.  Though typically blended with red grapes or used in sparkling wines, Bombino Bianco can be found in still wines on its own.  Unlike many wine varieties, it is also used to make raisins.

Wine Profile: Color is lemon yellow with hints of pale green.  This is a very neutral and subtle grape that can sometimes express soft citrus fruit and floral notes with touches of minerality.

Food Pairing: Marinated eel, shrimp, sweet potato fritters, roasted flounder

Greco Bianco

This grape reportedly has Greek origins and has an incredibly long history of over 2500 years.  It is genetically similar to the variety Asprinio. The late maturing Greco Bianco is almost always used in a blend with other Apulian varieties, though a passito dessert wine called Greco di Bianco can also be made in Calabria.

Wine Profile: These wines are fresh and grapey with racing acidity.  They have peachy, grassy aromas and a deep color. Though best young, they will develop more nutty aromas after a few years in the bottle.

Food Pairing: seafood pasta, pulled pork barbecue, caramel, walnuts

Posted by Editor · Categorized: General, Wine · Tagged: Apulia, Puglia, Wine, wine pairing

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🍪 Do you know the taralli pugliesi? They are 🍪 Do you know the taralli pugliesi? 

They are a typical kind of Apulian salty biscuits, a very popular food in our region, that is also famously eaten all over the Italian peninsula.

Legend says that they were born in the XV century, because of a bread famine that hit Puglia: that is why Italian housewives decided to prepare a substitute to it, by using what they had available at home.

Their dough is made with olive oil, wheat flour and water, but it can also be seasoned with fennel seeds, onions, olives, cheese and pepper and rosemary. 🍪

#Puglia #pugliese #Apulian #taralli #tarallini #curiosity #history #foodie #NewYork #NewYorkCity #italianfood #Italy #apulianfood #regionalfood #typical #traditional
❄️🥦 Winter in Puglia means turnip greens se ❄️🥦 Winter in Puglia means turnip greens season! But what are they? 

They are the non-bloomed flowers of the turnip, very common in our cuisine and they can be used in many ways: the most common is to use them as the main ingredient for orecchiette con le cime di rapa, a pillar of this regional gastronomy!

They are also rich in useful substances, such as vitamins, minerals and polyphenols and they taste bitter and pungent, giving a nice flavor to the food preparations. So, what are you waiting for? You should definitely try them out! ❄️🥦

Check the link in our bio and story to read our latest blog article. 📝

#Puglia #pugliese #Apulian #cimedirapa #turnipgreens #orecchiette #pasta #foodie #NewYork #NewYorkCity #italianfood #Italy #apulianfood #regionalfood #typical #traditional photo credits: @pugliakitchen
The final day of 2022 is upon us. Here are Especi The final day of 2022 is upon us.  Here are Especially Puglia we wish you many great moments, meals, and memories in 2023.  Click the link in bio to sign up for our Newsletter and learn about upcoming experiences in Puglia.  Make this a year to remember and get closer to the ingredients that you love.  Join one of our culinary tours this Spring and Fall and see Italy like you've never seen it before.
2023 is only two days away. Company holiday parti 2023 is only two days away.  Company holiday parties, white elephants, and last minute gifts?  Our digital gift cards allow your friends and coworkers to choose from our Apulian honey, our incredible Extra Virgin Olive Oils and more. Link in bio to make someone's New Year!
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This year's EVOO harvest arrives in just a few wee This year's EVOO harvest arrives in just a few weeks. Pre-order now through our Adopt an Olive Tree program and receive a digital certificate of adoption that your loved ones can open on Christmas Day!  Link in bio to make those last minute gifts count!
For friends who enjoy a little sweetness in their For friends who enjoy a little sweetness in their life, send our Pugliese honey this holiday season.  Our apiaries are home to bees that feast on acacia flowers, orange blossoms and sunflowers to name a few - imparting a variety of bouquets upon the flavors of the honeys. Link in bio to check off Santa's list!
Still in need of holiday gifts this season? Pre-o Still in need of holiday gifts this season?  Pre-order the Extra Virgin Olive Oil Harvest of 2022 inbounding this January.  Link in bio to order!
These “little ears” or orecchiette, are the re These “little ears” or orecchiette, are the renowned pasta of Puglia and a true national treasure.  Walk through the streets of Bari and you will find pasta grannies folding the little morsels by hand at lightening fast speed.  Enjoy them with a pomodoro sauce or cime di rapa - Cucina povera at it's finest.  Link in bio to sign up to our newsletter and get more Italian inspiration straight to your inbox!
White Lotus season finale has you dreaming of a va White Lotus season finale has you dreaming of a vacation to Italy?  Join Especially Puglia for a tour of the heel, exploring its history and Baroque architecture, its natural beauty from beaches to olive groves, and the many wonderful culinary traditions from EVOO, to mozzarella to orecchiette.  Link in bio to inquire about a trip to Puglia this spring or fall Harvest 2023!
This year's harvest of extra virgin olive oil is i This year's harvest of extra virgin olive oil is inbounding this January!  It is going to sell out quickly, so pre-order today to ensure your pantry is stocked with the most essential ingredient.  We love our Pugliese olive farmers who use the best production practices for the earth and their product to ensure nothing but the best for you!  Link in bio to PRE-ORDER NOW!
The holiday season is upon us and Especially Pugli The holiday season is upon us and Especially Puglia has all the gift ideas in store.  Sign up for our Newsletter for new inspiration every week.  Link in bio to get all of the details straight to your inbox.
Pre-orders are now open for this season's olive oi Pre-orders are now open for this season's olive oil harvest!  Choose from one of five masserias we work with across Puglia.  Each masseria has it's own distinct flavor profile resulting from their chosen varietals and the unique terroir of their orchards.  The farmers we support work hard to protect the land and trees to provide the best possible ingredient. The single-source extra virgin olive oils we make from their trees are the essential addition to your pantry - elevating everything they touch. Link in bio to pre-order!
Olive oil is undoubtedly one of the most common co Olive oil is undoubtedly one of the most common condiments found on our dining tables; yet, it is sometimes avoided and viewed as unhealthy. On the contrary, studies prove that the fatty acids and antioxidants found in olive oil offer several health benefits, including a reduced risk of heart disease. 

With the new year right around the corner, why not make a resolution to do something good for your health and for the palate.  Our new harvest of small producer Apulian EVOO - an iconic region for olive oil production - is ready for you!

Click the link in bio to read more about the health benefits of extra virgin olive oil and preorder the new harvest of Apulian EVOO by clicking the link in photo!
Need ideas for your New Years gathering?! Be like Need ideas for your New Years gathering?! Be like the Italians, and follow your antipasti course with Cotechino and Lenticchie.  This dish is composed of braised lentils with rich cotechino pork sausage that originates in Emilia Romagna.  The legend goes that those who eat these coin-shaped legumes will have prosperity in the new year, and the more you eat the better!
Happy Boxing Day everyone! We hope you had a wonde Happy Boxing Day everyone! We hope you had a wonderful holiday with friends and family. Remember the new harvest is here! 

Enjoy the freshest experience when our EVOO arrives right off the boat mid-January.  Olive oil is the very best when it is enjoyed fresh from the press so place your orders soon or DM for more details.
The festive season is magical anywhere, but even m The festive season is magical anywhere, but even more so in Salento. Towns and villages come alive with street markets and exhibitions full of treats, handicrafts, and traditions unique to the region and the season. Full of carefully displayed nativity scenes, beautiful sunny days and mouth-watering candy dishes, Southern Italy really is the place to be during Christmas time. Click the link in bio to read more about their Christmas traditions. 

And remember whether you want to try making some traditional Apulian dishes for you and your family, or you just want to add a little Italian touch to your holiday feasts and festivities, we can help.  Especially Puglia’s olive oil and other artisan products are the perfect addition to your pantry and a gracious gift for the holidays.  Click the link in photo to shop!
Traveling this holiday may still be up in the air Traveling this holiday may still be up in the air but let’s have fun reminiscing about the incredible vacations of years gone by.  Post a photo and tag @especiallypuglia sharing your favorite time in Puglia or Italy.  We will repost some of our favorites next week and send out 250 ml stocking stuffers of our EVOO from the 2020 harvest to 5 lucky winners!
Our small farmers from Puglia have worked hard all Our small farmers from Puglia have worked hard all harvest to share their delicious extra virgin olive oil with you.  They harvest and process everything by hand and we send it straight to your door.  Preorder the new harvest now for your holiday gifts. 

Although global shipping delays have moved the ETA to January 20th we will be sure to send the adoption certificate, information packets, and gift notes to your loved ones in time for the holidays.  They can look forward to something special in the new year!
Stocking Stuffer Giveaway! In celebration of the Stocking Stuffer Giveaway! 

In celebration of the new harvest we are giving away TEN, 250 ml extra virgin olive oil tins to TEN lucky winners.  This extra virgin olive oil is cultivated by one of our favorite farmers, Carolina Villani, in one of the most revered regions in Italy for olive oil production.  They tend a grove of Peranzana olives’ cultivar that are harvested and processed within 6 hours, directly from the field.  Follow the 3 steps below and you might get to try her 50 year old tradition! 

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