Salice Salentino (2015)
SommeliAI Insights
A robust red wine with rich fruit flavors and hints of cocoa, vanilla, and coffee.
About this wine
The 2015 Salice Salentino from Varvaglione is a bold red wine that showcases the character of the Negroamaro and Malvasia Nera grapes. On the nose, it offers intense fruity aromas complemented by notes of cocoa, vanilla, and coffee. The palate is harmonious and balanced, with a long, aromatic, and fruity aftertaste. This wine has been aged in French and American oak barrels for at least 10 months, adding depth and complexity to its flavor profile.
About the grape
Negroamaro, meaning "black and bitter," is a dark-skinned grape native to southern Italy, particularly the Salento region. Its origins trace back to ancient times, possibly introduced by Greek settlers around the 7th century BC. This grape thrives in the hot, dry climate of Puglia, producing wines with deep color and earthy flavors. Malvasia Nera, another indigenous variety, is often blended with Negroamaro to soften its bitterness and add aromatic complexity. In the 1930s, local farmers began combining these two grapes to create balanced wines, a practice that continues in the production of Salice Salentino wines today.
Quick facts
- 🍇 The name 'Negroamaro' translates to 'black bitter' in Italian, reflecting the grape's deep color and slightly bitter profile.
- 🌸 Malvasia Nera, often blended with Negroamaro, adds aromatic richness and softens the wine's tannic structure.
- 🏅 The Salice Salentino DOC, established in 1976, is renowned for producing high-quality wines primarily from the Negroamaro grape.
- 🛢️ Varvaglione's Salice Salentino DOP 2015 matured in French and American oak barrels for at least 10 months, enhancing its complexity.
- 🥇 This wine has received accolades such as Gold at the Berlin Wine Trophy and 92 points from Luca Maroni.
Palate profile
Producer
Varvaglione 1921, established in 1921 by Nicola Varvaglione, is one of southern Italy's oldest wineries, now managed by the fourth generation of the Varvaglione family. Located in Leporano, Puglia, the winery focuses on native grape varieties such as Primitivo, Negroamaro, and Malvasia Nera, producing wines that reflect the region's rich terroir. In 2011, to commemorate its 90th anniversary, Varvaglione introduced the special Primitivo cuvée "Papale Oro," named after vineyards once owned by Pope Benedict XIII. The winery emphasizes sustainability, collaborating with universities to monitor vineyards and implementing eco-friendly practices like using Nomacorc Ocean corks made from recycled ocean plastics.
