"Ricarico" Rosso Salento igt

Name: "Ricarico" Rosso Salento igt

Appellation: Indicazione Geografica Tipica

Area of Origin: Produced in the provinces of Brindisi, Taranto and Lecce, in Apulia Region.

Hints of the Vineyard: Negroamaro and Primitivo, two autochthonous grapevines of the Taranto peninsula, are grown according to the old Head Training system. The vines are more than 50 years old on average and can offer a small production.

Vinification: Overripe grapes undergo a particular fermentation, very similar to the "Ripasso" type that in Apulia is called "Ricarico".
Negroamaro grapes are pressed and the skin and juice added to the previous Primitivo marc or “pasta” which has fermented for 10 days in stainless steel vats. After other 5 days of double skin fermentation, a dry Primitivo wine from a previous first pressing is added.
That allows the wine to gain strength and at the same time to keep its rich bouquet of fruity aromas.

Ageing: This wine is fined in small oak barrels, then matures in bottle for 15 months before being released on the market.

Grape Variety: It is a blend of Primitivo and Negroamaro

Tasting Notes: Late harvested Primitivo and Negroamaro grapes are used to make this unique wine using the “Ricarico” wine making method very similar to that used for ripasso style wines.
The result is a deeply concentrated, intense wine that shares the opulent velvetiness of the great northern wines but with all the warmth and earthiness of Southern Italy. Ricarico is an enticingly dark red with garnet rim, the consistency is rich hinting at the smoothness to follow. The aroma is an intense succession of lifted notes of small berry conserves and cooked plums, followed by liquorice, chocolate and finally nuances of sweet spices such as nutmeg and vanilla seed.
The mouth feel is powerful and full bodied with soft ripe tannins, every element is in balance, then the long, almost endless,chewy finish that hints at hazelnuts. This superb wine is to be enjoyed with fine dining and is ideal with game and rich meat dishes or very mature cheeses.

Food Pairing Notes: This extraordinary wine is to be enjoyed with fine dining, ideal with game, rich meat dishes, strong cheeses.
Serving temperature: 20°C.

Ageing Potential: 4 years

Average Alcohol Percentage: 14.5%