Puglia

Bagnara is a village between Cellino San Marco and Campi Salentina. Limestone hills, Mediterranean scrub, figs, olive groves, the wind from the Adriatic Sea. Here, along the old "Limite dei Greci" – the historical borderline of the Greek colonies in Apulia – grows the Fiano of Due Palme. A grape variety with a long history in Salento, already known at the time of Frederick II. Hand-picked, cold maceration at 4°C for 24 hours, temperature-controlled fermentation in steel. Straw yellow in the glass, fresh. The nose opens with citrus, white peach, a hint of almond and Mediterranean herbal spice. Lively on the palate, with good acidity and a long, salty, mineral finish. SUPERIORE.DE

Brilliant straw yellow with a greenish tinge. The bouquet shows typical varietal aromas of yellow pear, ripe apple, citrus blossom and a hint of tropical fruit. Fresh and harmonious on the palate, with fine fruit sweetness, lively, well-integrated acidity and a clear, dry finish. Maturation in stainless steel tanks preserves freshness and varietal character. An uncomplicated but honest Chardonnay with a Mediterranean flavour - ideal for light meals or aperitifs in the south. SUPERIORE.DE

Cantalupi – the name is reminiscent of the wolves that once roamed the vineyards near Salice Salentino. The Zecca family has been cultivating these lands in the heart of Salento since 1580. Their Rosato, made from 80% Negroamaro and 20% Malvasia Nera, shows just how distinctive Apulian rosé can be: Bright light pink in the glass, with floral notes and red berry fruit on the nose. The ageing in cement tanks preserves the freshness, the lack of filtration the substance. Clear and harmonious on the palate, with lively acidity and a dry, juicy finish. Honest, precise, typically Salento. SUPERIORE.DE

The indigenous Negroamaro grape variety is one of the main pillars of Apulian viticulture and stands for strength, warmth and character. Dark ruby red in the glass with violet reflections. The nose is inviting with notes of ripe cherry, plum, dark berry fruit and a hint of Mediterranean herbs. Round and soft on the palate, with juicy fruit, gentle tannins and a spicy finish. The ageing in stainless steel tanks emphasises the freshness and varietal aromas of the Negroamaro. An uncomplicated, charmingly matured red wine with a likeable and very regional soul. SUPERIORE.DE

The name SanGaetano tells of the co-operative tradition: in 2012, Cantine Due Palme took over the small Cooperativa San Gaetano in Lizzano in order to expand the production of Primitivo di Manduria in a targeted manner. This DOC appellation has long been recognised as one of the most important red wine denominations in Apulia – appreciated both in Italy and internationally. The Primitivo vines grow on the characteristic red-coloured soils of Manduria, whose clay-limestone structure is rich in minerals and iron oxides. These soils with their rocky limestone subsoil have a decisive influence on the character of the wine. The grapes are harvested by hand in small crates at the end of August or beginning of September when they are slightly overripe to guarantee the highest quality. After temperature-controlled fermentation, the SanGaetano matures for six months in American oak barrels – an ageing process that refines the tannins and gives the wine additional complexity.

Felline in Manduria stands for Puglia's indigenous grape varieties and the pioneering work of Gregory Perrucci, who has been shaping the region since 1992. Pietraluna is a single-varietal Negroamaro from Salento – strong, spicy, authentic. The grapes come from vineyards around Manduria, where calcareous soils with iron oxide deposits form the typical terra rossa. After manual harvesting, fermentation takes place in stainless steel tanks, followed by brief ageing to preserve the fruit.

Cantine Due Palme is one of the most successful co-operatives in southern Italy – founded in 1989 in Cellino San Marco, the cooperative now has over 1,200 members and around 3,000 hectares of vineyards between Brindisi, Lecce and Taranto. Under the management of Angelo Maci, Due Palme has developed into a pioneer of sustainable quality production, combining state-of-the-art cellar technology with traditional cultivation methods such as Alberello Pugliese. Don Cosimo epitomises the sun-drenched power of Salento. The Primitivo grapes ripen on calcareous, loamy soils that store sufficient water even in very hot weather. After a gentle harvest in mid-September, the grapes ferment at a controlled temperature in horizontal rotary fermenters before the wine matures for six months in French barriques and then comes to rest in the bottle.

The Cantalupi Primitivo comes from old vines in south-west Apulia and is classically vinified in stainless steel. Dark ruby in colour with a slight violet tinge. Intense aromas of ripe cherries, blackberries, some fig and delicately spicy notes of black pepper and Mediterranean herbs on the nose. Juicy on the palate with dense fruit, pleasant spice, supple tannins and a lovely flow. The acidity is present but elegantly integrated. A red wine "for every day" with plenty of character - authentic, round and pleasantly accessible. Perfect with pasta with a spicy sauce, grilled vegetables or simply on its own with good friends. SUPERIORE.DE

Susumaniello is one of the indigenous grape varieties of Apulia that almost disappeared. Cantine Due Palme was one of the first wineries to recognise the potential of this historic variety from the Alto Salento region around Brindisi and saved it with foresight – vinified in purity to preserve its unique character. The name already reveals its speciality: "Carico come un somarello" – loaded like a donkey – refers to the exceptional fruitiness of the young vines. After around ten years, the yield drops significantly, and only then does Susumaniello produce grapes of astonishing quality. The grapes are easy to recognise: Their ink-blue coloured berries have an extremely high anthocyanin content, which is why Susumaniello was often used as a blending partner in the past to lend depth of colour to other wines. For the Serre, the grapes are harvested by hand in small crates late at the end of September, when they are slightly overripe for optimum concentration. Vinification takes place in horizontal rotary fermenters at a controlled temperature, followed by six months of ageing in French barriques.

An intense ruby red with violet highlights. The nose reveals ripe cherries, dark berries, a hint of clove and a touch of liquorice – typical of the Primitivo grape variety, which originally hails from Croatia but has long since found its current home in Apulia. Soft and round on the palate, with juicy fruit, subtle spice and a warm, approachable final. Ageing in stainless-steel tanks preserves the wine's freshness and varietal character. An uncomplicated yet characterful Primitivo with Mediterranean flair, offering good length and a lovely, easy-drinking quality. SUPERIORE.DE

Pale straw yellow with a greenish tinge. Ripe lemon, yellow apple, some white blossom and a hint of pineapple on the nose - typical of the variety, but pleasantly restrained. Fresh and balanced on the palate, with a delicate mellowness, lively acidity and a mineral finish. The ageing in stainless steel tanks emphasises the clarity and freshness of the grape variety. An elegant Chardonnay from the hills of Castel del Monte that impresses with its finesse, drinkability and regional identity. Ideal with antipasti, fish or simply on its own. SUPERIORE.DE

Pale yellow with greenish reflections – a Sauvignon that already announces freshness in the glass. Notes of gooseberry, lime zest, white peach and a hint of sage on the nose. Lively and straightforward on the palate with a fine citrus flavour. The grape variety is not loud here, but interpreted precisely and coolly, and the ageing in stainless steel maintains the freshness and emphasises the planty, mineral vein. A regionally characterised white wine from the cool limestone terroir of Castel del Monte – clear, typical of the variety and very balanced. SUPERIORE.DE

A delicate salmon pink with a coppery sheen – a rosé of subtle elegance. On the nose, redcurrants, rosehip, pink grapefruit and a hint of herb-scented hay. On the palate, the indigenous Bombino Nero grape reveals fresh acidity, delicate fruit notes and a salty minerality. Ageing in stainless steel tanks preserves its clarity and finesse. "Pungirosa" is a wonderful Castel del Monte DOCG rosé – light-footed, yet far from insubstantial. A wine with character that skilfully translates the freshness of the limestone slopes into the glass and sets new standards every year. SUPERIORE.DE

Excellent, single-varietal red wine from the ancient southern Italian Nero di Troia grape. Violante impresses with its delicately aromatic, red berry and delicately smoky bouquet. Fresh in flavour, well-structured and beautifully balanced between fruit and acidity, it is a wonderful accompaniment to food and a very good value everyday wine. SUPERIORE.DE

Orion here does not mean the constellation, but a border. The Greek "oros" means edge, dividing line – and that is exactly what this path once was: the ancient road that separated Byzantine lands from Lombard lands, today a quiet country lane right next to the Primitivo vineyards of Masseria Li Veli in Cellino San Marco. History you can feel under your feet. 100% Primitivo, harvested at the end of August, limestone-clay soils, 10 to 20 year old vines – partly Alberello, the ancient Apulian bush vine cultivation style. Fermentation in steel, six months in barrique. Roberto Cotarella holds the line.

The name reveals more than any label. Passamante – the forest right next to the Negroamaro vineyards of Masseria Li Veli near Cellino San Marco. A forest that bears its name from times gone by: "passare" and "amante" – the lover who steals away here unobserved. There are hardly any more romantic names for a wine. 100% Negroamaro, the great grape variety of Salento, on calcareous clay, 10 to 20-year-old vines, harvested in mid-September. Fermentation in temperature-controlled steel, six months in barrique – no more, no less. The Falvo family, who have been at the masseria since 1999, with Roberto Cotarella as Oenologist, do not experiment here. They make authentic wine far from the mainstream.

Castel del Monte Bombino Nero is Italy's only DOCG designation reserved exclusively for rosé wines – made from at least 90% of the indigenous Bombino Nero grape. The vineyards lie at an altitude of 400–500 metres around Castel del Monte, the octagonal Staufer castle built by Frederick II, whose mysterious geometry inspired the Torrevento logo. Limestone karst soils, Mediterranean sunshine and a constant sea breeze from 13 kilometres away – ideal conditions for a grape variety that withstands heat, retains its freshness and always remains light and direct on the palate. Gentle pressing, controlled temperature, four months' ageing in stainless steel.

Straw-yellow with greenish highlights. The nose is dominated by notes of white fruit, apples and pineapple, which are well balanced by citrus notes of orange blossom and jasmine. On the palate, it is fragrant and delicious, with a soft attack and balanced freshness, and a hint of nutmeg in the finish. An extremely straightforward Chardonnay, just the way we like it, with a crisp style, a subtle saltiness and a fruity finish. SUPERIORE.DE

"Susu lu somariellu!" – run, little donkey! That’s what they used to shout in Salento when the young Susumaniello vines bore such an exuberant crop that the pack animal could barely move forward. The name stuck. So did the grape variety – albeit only just. Susumaniello had almost been forgotten before northern Salento, around Brindisi, led the way in its rediscovery. Masseria Li Veli is one of those estates that takes this rare variety seriously. Clay-sand soils with a limestone subsoil, cordon speronato training, hand-harvested at the end of September. Temperature-controlled stainless steel vats, aged in French oak barrels.