A pure expression of the land where it is grown. Integro Negroamaro Puglia.

Integro Negroamaro Puglia (IGP) 2022, 13.5% ABV

€16.95 at O’Briens Wine

A pure expression of the land where it is grown

 

Intense ruby is the colour of this organic wine from the heel of Italy. Very fruity nose with cherry prominent. Cherry and red berry fruit flavours in the palate and it is a little on the

spicy side. This though is a smooth wine, elegant even, and the finish is deep and lingering

 A pure expression of the land where it is grown and it is Very Highly Recommended.

Neither the grape (widely grown here and almost nowhere else) nor the region would be all that familiar to the casual wine drinker. Puglia is the Italian name of the region while the Anglicised version is Apulia; it is in the sunny and fertile area often referred to as the stiletto heel of the Italian boot (though that term is also applied to Salento at the extreme south).

Here, the Negroamaro grape is even more widely grown than the better-known Primitivo. There is an increasing interest in Negroamaro but, according to VINO, it still “remains an excellent value for the money”.

Integro says that the Salento, where the organic grapes are grown, has a microclimate “perfectly suited to producing rich, complex, full-bodied wines. Our philosophy is to be in perfect harmony with nature, intervening only when absolutely necessary, thereby ensuring that each and every grape variety expresses its own personality.” The Salento peninsula is the southernmost portion of Puglia where the Ionian and Adriatic seas meet and mix.

Food Pairings: Meatballs in tomato sauce, grilled meat, lasagne or chickpea soup. Perfect with pasta dishes with tomato-based sauces, red meat and game. Wine Folly suggests foods like barbecue chicken pizza, pulled pork sandwiches, and teriyaki. Plenty of choice there!

This post is part of a series of Italian wines produced by usually small or medium-sized organic wineries made from native grapes. Taking some “guidance” here from the recently published VINO. Mightn’t always net the hat trick of "small, organic, native", but hope to score two from the three each time. I have quite a few lined up but I’m happy to consider any suggestions or help. #OrganicItaly

• See the emerging Organic Italy list here 
• Check out  our Top Wines 2024 list (with stockists and short reviews) here 

• Looking for better value? All under 20 euro. Click here