Cacc'e Mmitte di Lucera Alberto Longo 2023

Alberto Longo's Cacc'e Mmitte di Lucera constitutes a typical and fascinating interpretation of this appellation from the Tavoliere delle Puglie, made from a blend of the local grape varieties Uva di Troia, Montepulciano and Bombino Bianco. The peculiar dialect expression "cacc'e mmitte" derives from the ancient winemaking procedure adopted by Lucera's peasants, who would bring their grapes to the millstones of wealthy landowners to process them since they had no equipment of their own. They would then rent the palmento by putting in the grapes (mmitte), and, in order to save on rent, as soon as fermentation was over, they would immediately remove the wine (cacce).

Producer Alberto Longo's Cacc'e Mmitte di Lucera is made from a blend of Uva di Troia (55 percent), Montepulciano (30 percent) and Bombino Bianco (15 percent), grapes from vineyards planted in 2002 on calcareous soils with a loamy-sandy texture. Following hand-harvesting and cluster selection, the grapes are gently destemmed, and the different grape varieties are then vinified separately in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks, with about 20 days of contact between the must and skins. After soft pressing and complete malolactic fermentation, the wine is transferred to concrete tanks for maturation for at least 6-8 months, followed by no less than 6 months of bottle ageing before the final release.

Apulian red wine Cacc'e Mmitte di Lucera Alberto Longo is deep ruby red in colour with purplish highlights. Vivid and persistent hints of berries and spices describe the characteristic nose. Harmonious, round and well-structured sip with a soft and refined tannic texture.