ASSINA Susumaniello Rosato Salento IGP 2023 (6 bottles)

"Assina" Susumaniello Rosato Salento IGP 2023 / San Donaci / Puglia

Container of 6 bottles

Rose wine from Italy

Salento, a sun-drenched peninsula in the southern reaches of Apulia, ranks among Italy’s most esteemed winegrowing regions. Shaped by a Mediterranean climate of hot summers and mild winters, and blessed with calcareous, mineral-rich soils, the area offers ideal conditions for cultivating characterful red grape varieties such as Primitivo, Negroamaro and Susumaniello. The vineyards are often planted using the traditional Alberello system, where the vines grow freestanding like small trees. This method encourages optimal ripening and contributes to a high concentration of aromas and tannins.

Nestled in the heart of this historic viticultural landscape lies Cantina San Donaci, founded in 1933 in the eponymous village between Taranto, Brindisi and Lecce. What began as a union of twelve growers has evolved into a cooperative of around 300 members, who entrust their grapes to the winery for transformation into high-quality wines. By combining modern technology with deep-rooted tradition, the Cantina succeeds in preserving the region’s distinctive flavour profiles while continuously enhancing the sensory finesse of its creations.

A prime example of this harmony between heritage and innovation is the “Assina” Susumaniello Rosato Salento IGP. Its name pays tribute to the Elamite ruler Assina, renowned around 500 BC for his courage and resolve - qualities that resonate in this wine. The Rosato is a contemporary interpretation of the Salento style, embodying elegance, personality and international flair.

The Susumaniello grape, once nearly forgotten, is now enjoying a renaissance. Its small, thick-skinned, juice-rich berries are perfectly adapted to southern Italy’s climate. With low yields and late ripening, the variety produces wines of deep colour, pronounced fruit and distinctive tannic structure.

“Assina” Rosato is crafted using the saignée method, where the must remains in brief contact with the skins. This results in a delicate, luminous rosé hue with violet highlights and a fruit-forward aroma. After gentle pressing, the must ferments under temperature control in stainless steel tanks and continues to mature in steel until bottling - a process that preserves freshness and varietal purity.

In the glass, “Assina” reveals an expressive bouquet of strawberries, mulberries, citrus and white blossoms. On the palate, it is fresh, juicy and well-balanced, with lively acidity and a saline minerality that lends depth and structure. Its fine texture, moderate alcohol content of 12.5%, and medium-length finish with fruity-floral echoes and a touch of sea salt make it a charming yet characterful pleasure.

Served at 10 to 12 °C, “Assina” proves a versatile companion to summery dishes. It pairs beautifully with starters such as tuna carpaccio, vitello tonnato or bruschetta, as well as fish and seafood, vegetarian fare and light salads. It also shines alongside vegetable couscous, goat’s cheese with honey or watermelon and feta salad. Whether as an aperitif, at picnics or on balmy terrace evenings – this Rosato delights with its fresh style and Mediterranean elegance.

This offering comprises a set of six 0.75-litre bottles - perfect for sharing, savouring across occasions, or exploring the multifaceted charm of Salento in good company.

General properties

• Vintage: 2023
• Ageing: Dry
• Country: Italy
• Region: Apulia
• Volume: 4.5 litres

Detailed properties

• Producer and bottler: Cantina San Donaci - Via Mesagne 62 - 72025 San Donaci (Brindisi) - Italia - +39 0831 681005
• Quality Designation: Indicazione Geografica Protetta (IGP)
• Grape variety: 100% Susumaniello.
  
• Production area: The production area of the grapes for this wine is located in Salento on clay mixed soil around the village of San Donaci.
• Soil and Cultivation System: The vines are cultivated on medium-textured mixed soils, offering a balanced composition of mineral and organic elements. Planting follows the traditional Apulian Alberello system, a free-standing training method that ensures optimal sun exposure and air circulation, thereby enhancing grape ripeness and contributing to a greater concentration of flavour and tannins.
• Vinification: The “Assina” Susumaniello Rosato is produced using traditional rosé vinification methods, with the must remaining in brief contact with the grape skins to extract colour and aroma. Fermentation takes place under controlled temperatures in stainless steel tanks. Following this, the wine continues to mature in stainless steel until bottling, preserving its freshness and varietal character.
• Scent: An expressive bouquet unfolds with aromas of small red fruits such as strawberries and mulberries, delicately complemented by a subtle hint of white blossom. This harmonious interplay lends the wine a lively yet refined aromatic profile.
• Taste: A fresh and juicy rosé with well-balanced acidity, this wine offers a vibrant and effortlessly drinkable structure. Its distinctive saline minerality - typical of Salento’s calcareous soils - adds depth and a clear, well-defined presence on the palate. Despite its aromatic intensity, the wine remains light and buoyant, making it an ideal choice for warm days and Mediterranean cuisine. On the palate, it feels slender yet substantial, with a fine texture and a moderate alcohol content of 12.5% that enhances its approachable character. The finish is medium in length, echoing with fruity-floral notes and a subtle touch of sea salt.
• Colour: A delicate, luminous rosé with subtle violet highlights.
• Alcohol content: 12.5 % Vol.
• Type of closure: Natural cork.
• How to serve: With its saline freshness and delicate fruit profile, this rosato proves to be a versatile companion at the table. It pairs particularly well with starters such as tuna carpaccio, vitello tonnato or tomato and basil bruschetta. Its aromatic depth also complements fish and seafood dishes like grilled sea bream, prawns with lemon oil or spaghetti alle vongole. Vegetarian options such as couscous with grilled vegetables or goat’s cheese with honey and thyme benefit from its vibrant structure. In summer cuisine, it shines alongside watermelon and feta salad, chilled pasta dishes or light quiches. Thanks to its balanced style, this wine is equally suited to picnics, al fresco dining or relaxed terrace evenings.
• Recommended serving temperature: Between 10 and 12°C.
• Allergens: Contains sulphites.
• Warning: Consumption of alcoholic beverages during pregnancy, even in small quantities, can have serious consequences for the health of the child.
• EAN (carton): 8023909037009
  
• Scope of supply: 6 x 0.75 litres = 4.5 litres.
  

Grape variety

SUSUMANIELLO

The SUSUMANIELLO is an autochthonous red wine grape variety from Apulia in southern Italy. It is particularly widespread in the Salento region, in southern Puglia. The variety is considered late-ripening and low-yielding, which leads to a high concentration of aromas and tannins in the wine. The grapes are small, thick-skinned and have a high juice content. The wines made from Susumaniello are dark in colour and characterized by fruity aromas, especially dark berries such as blackberries and blackcurrants. Notes of spices and herbs are also common. The taste is powerful and tannic, but at the same time elegant and balanced. In recent years, Susumaniello has experienced a renaissance and is now increasingly being made as a varietal wine. In addition, it is often used as part of cuvées to give them more structure and depth. Overall, Susumaniello is an interesting and promising grape variety worth exploring.

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