Nardò DOC (Red, Rosé)
(courtesy of http://www.wine66.com)


Grape types: Negroamaro 80-100%, with the possible addition of
Malvasia Nera and (rarely) Montepulciano, up to a maximum of 20%

Notes: The Negroamaro grape, which is absolutely the best for making
Salento rosés, is sometimes softened with a small percentage of
Malvasia Nera, a variety of Greek origin that originated in Morea (the
Peloponnesus of today), more precisely the city of Monembasia.

Area: communes of Nardò and Porto Cesareo, in the province of Lecce,
solely from siliceous-clayey-calcareous soil of the Pleistocene

Color: intense ruby red, acquires orange hues with age

Nose: intense, vinous, fruity

Palate: warm, robust, well balanced, velvety, sustained by good
structure and tannins; pleasingly bitterish vein

Aging before release: none

Additional classification: with a minimum of 12.5% alc. cont. by vol.
and 2 years’ aging, it qualifies as a Riserva

Cellar life: the red peaks between its 3rd and 6th year

Food pairings: seasoned cold meats and salami, structured first
courses, red meat, pork, roast or stewed lamb, seasoned cheese

For the Rosé: same blend and area of production, the color varies from
coral pink to light cherry; the nose is vinous, delicate,
characteristic, fruity; dry on the palate, velvety and pleasing, with
a subtle bitterish nuance