Primitivo del Salento '12 e Mezzo' Varvaglione 2024
The Primitivo from Salento '12 e Mezzo' by Varvaglione is produced by a historic Salento winery, a lighter version of one of the most traditional reds from the south. On the nose, it presents hints of ripe red fruits, sweet spices like cinnamon, and a slight background of vanilla and cocoa. The sip is soft, enveloping, and persistent, with well-integrated tannins that provide good structure. A wine with a drinkable soul, it is perfect to accompany intense pasta dishes.
Varvaglione's Primitivo del Salento '12 e Mezzo' presents the most accessible and graceful aspect of Primitivo, with an alcoholic strength of just 12.5%, hence the name of the collection. According to the most accredited hypotheses, the origin of this vine is to be found in the Ionic-Salentine coast, first colonised by the Phoenicians over 3,000 years ago and then by the Greeks. It was then the Benedictine monks, during the 17th century, who strongly spread the cultivation of Primitivo in the region, particularly in the area of Gioia del Colle. Its permanent arrival in the province of Taranto dates back to the end of the 19th century.
The production of Primitivo del Salento Varvaglione '12 e Mezzo' starts with the cultivation of Primitivo grapes within the Salento territory. Following the harvest, the bunches are transferred to the winery, where they are vinified in red with alcoholic fermentation in contact with the skins at a controlled temperature of between 24 and 28 °C. Once the malolactic fermentation, capable of refining the wine's characteristics, is also completed, the mass is racked into American oak barriques for the 3-6 months of ageing that precedes the final bottling. After a further suitable resting period in glass, the wine is finally ready for marketing..
On visual inspection, Varvaglione Primitivo del Salento '12 e Mezzo' shows a deep, dark red hue. Vivid hints of dark fruit, such as plum and morello cherry, describe the olfactory texture along with tertiary aromas of cocoa and vanilla that emerge on the finish. The progression on the palate is warm and enveloping, with a juicy freshness that joins the soft, rich tannin in a development of savoury pleasantness.