ANTICAIA Salice Salentino Riserva DOP 2017

Anticaia" Salice Salentino Riserva DOP 2017 / San Donaci / Apulia

Red wine from Italy

Cantina San Donaci is based in the Apulian town of San Donaci. Here in the centre of the city triangle of Taranto, Brindisi, and Lecce, it was founded in 1933 by twelve winegrowers. Over time, more and more farmers joined the idea of joining forces, so that today about three hundred members have their grapes refined into wine by the Cantina San Donaci. Today Cantina San Donaci uses highly innovative technologies to further improve the excellent organoleptic and qualitative characteristics of the wines, thus enhancing the typical flavours and aromas. But what most distinguishes the production of wines from Salento near San Donaci is the irreplaceable aging in oak barrels, which more than anything else, refines their flavour and enhances the already great quality.

The "Anticaia" Salice Salentino Riserva comes from a careful selection of Negroamaro grapes, to which a small proportion of Malvasia grapes are added. The Negroamaro is a red grape variety that is mainly grown in the southern Italian region of Puglia. It produces powerful wines. The yields are usually very low, but this benefits the quality of the wines. Malvasia is a collective name for many white and red grape varieties. Most of these strains are of ancient Greek origin. For example, the famous Portuguese liqueur wine Madeira is made from a Malvasia variety. As wines made from this variety have fallen somewhat out of fashion - due to its heavy and sweet taste - it is often used to refine other wines. This is exactly what happens with the “Anticaia”.

The Salice Salentino derives its name from a municipality north of Lecce on the Salentino peninsula. The grapes for this wine come from the vineyards around the town of San Donaci in the province of Brindisi. The grapes grown in tree-form (Alberello Pugliese) on deep and dry clay-loam-pebble soils yield an average of 70 quintals of grapes per hectare. In the second half of September, the grapes are harvested by hand exclusively in the early morning hours, which are still cool, and vinified "in red" with 10 to 12 days of maceration and daily reassembly. The subsequent fermentation takes place in large tanks made of stainless steel. Finally, the "Anticaia" Salice Salentino Riserva DOP from Cantina San Donaci matures in wooden barrels for at least 24 months, of which six months are usually in barriques.

In the glass, the Anticaia appears with an intense ruby red enriched with orange reflections. Its bouquet is clear, pronounced, and full. One smells ripe red fruits with a spicy background. The taste is dry, intense, and yet soft and harmonious. The body is large and has a clear structure. The tannins are well integrated, and the long finish captivates with a pleasant wood tone.

After the "Anticaia" Salice Salentino Riserva DOP has been decanted about an hour before consumption, it goes perfectly with grilled meat, especially beef or lamb chops, at an optimal drinking temperature of 18 to 20°C. The strong tannins and rich fruitiness of the wine harmonize well with the flavours of the grilled meat. Due to its structure and acidity, Salice Salentino goes well with dishes with tomato sauces. Try it with a spicy pasta arrabbiata or a traditional lasagne. Also, very nice in combination with various hard cheeses such as Pecorino or Parmesan. The structure of the wine handles the intensity of the cheese well. A Salice Salentino can also go well with roasts or stews. The rich aromas of the wine complement the savoury flavours of braised meat. Since Salice Salentino comes from the Puglia region, it harmonizes well with Mediterranean cuisine. Try it with dishes like grilled vegetables, olives and herbs. Due to its structured tannins, Salice Salentino can also pair well with spicy dishes. Try it with a spicy ragout or a strongly spiced chili. If you have an aged Salice Salentino that has been in the cellar for a few years, it might pair well with an older hard cheese. This could be an elegant combination to end a meal. This classic southern Italian red wine can also be enjoyed perfectly without food.

General properties

• Vintage: 2017
• Ageing: Dry
• Country: Italy
• Region: Apulia
• Volume: 0.75 litres

Detailed properties

• Producer and bottler: Cantina San Donaci - Via Mesagne 62 - 72025 San Donaci (Brindisi) - Italia - +39 0831 681005
• Quality Designation: Denominazione di Origine Protetta (DOP)
• Grape: 90% Negroamaro and 10% Malvasia.
• Production area: This wine takes its name from a municipality north of Lecce on the Salentine Peninsula. The grapes for this wine come from the vineyards around the town of San Donaci in the province of Brindisi.
• Soil type and training system: On middle mixture soils with the Apulian freestanding system.
• Plant density and yield: About 4000 plants per hectare. A yield of 70 to 80q per hectare.
• Vinification: Obtained from a careful selection of Negroamaro and Malvasia Nera grapes, planted in the traditional Alberello system. Vinification in red with thermo-controlling fermentation process. This wine is aged in barriques for 24 months, then aged in bottle.
• Sensory characteristics: Its bouquet is clear, marked and full, with notes of ripe red fruit and pepper. This excellent wine is characterized by an intensely dry taste that fades away with notes of coffee and tobacco. Wonderfully built in tannins. Overall, he brings a large body and a clear structure. In addition, it has a pleasant wood tone due to its barrique aging (stored in oak barrels for at least 2 years).
  
• Colour: Intense ruby red.
• Alcohol content: 14.0 % Vol.
• Residual sugar: 6.30 g/l
• Acidity: 6.51 g/l
• Stopper: Natural cork
• How to serve: Goes well with grilled meat, especially beef or lamb chops, dishes with tomato sauces and various hard cheeses. Excellent accompaniment to roasts or braised plates, Mediterranean cuisine, and spicy dishes. The Anticaia, together with an older hard cheese, can then offer the perfect end to a meal.
  
• Recommended serving temperature: Between 18 and 20°C. We recommend to open this wine at least 1 hour before serving.
• Allergens: Contains sulfites
• Award: Gambero Rosso 2022: 2 GLASSES; Berliner Wine Trophy: GOLD; I Vini di Veronelli 2022: 86 POINTS.
• EAN (bottle): 8023909010118
• Scope of supply: 1 bottle of wine 0.75 litres

Grape variety

NEGROAMARO

Negroamaro is a red grape variety grown primarily in the Puglia region of southern Italy. The name "Negroamaro" probably comes from the combination of the words "negro" (black) and "amaro" (bitter), which refers to the characteristic properties of the grapes. The grape variety is known for its dark, almost black-purple colour. The leaves of the Negroamaro vine are large, round, and deep green. The shoot tips are usually slightly woolly. Its grapes are medium-sized, compact, and conical in shape. The berries are dark purple to black and have a thick skin. The grapes ripen relatively late in the season, allowing winemakers to wait for optimal ripeness to ensure complex flavors and balanced acidity in the wines. The Negroamaro plant thrives particularly well in warm, sunny climates. Due to Puglia's warm climate, Negroamaro grapes tend to reach optimal ripeness, resulting in wines with high alcohol content and balanced acidity. These wines are versatile and can be used as standalone varietal wines or in cuvées to create different styles. Overall, Negroamaro contributes to enriching the wine diversity in Puglia and is extremely popular in the region due to its adaptability and the quality of the wines produced.

MALVASIA

Malvasia Nera is a red grape variety that most likely originated in Italy and was probably cultivated by settlers from Greece in ancient times. At present it is grown in various regions of the peninsula, including Tuscany, Puglia, and other parts of the country. The leaves of the Malvasia Nera plant are typically medium-sized, rounded, and deep green in colour. Its grapes are conical in shape and medium-sized. The grape structure can be loose, which promotes good ventilation and reduces the risk of fungal diseases. The berries are rather small, rounded and have a thick skin. Their colour varies from dark blue to black, depending on ripeness. The Malvasia Nera prefers Mediterranean climates with warm summers and mild winters, which means it has found a perfect habitat in Puglia. Malvasia Nera is typically used for the production of red wines. These wines are characterized by a strong structure, good tannins and a complex aroma. The grapes can be used both for single-variety wines and for cuvées in combination with other grape varieties.

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