CONTRADA DEL FALCO Rosso Salento IGP 2019

"Contrada del Falco" Rosso Salento IGP 2019 / 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.

Cantina San Donaci's "Contrada del Falco" Rosso Salento IGP is a cuvee red wine made from Negroamaro, Primitivo and Malvasia grapes, all grown around the town of San Donaci. The Negroamaro is a red grape variety that is mainly cultivated in Puglia. It produces strong wines. The yields are usually very low, but this benefits the quality of the wines. The history of identifying the Primitivo grape variety is a bit more complicated. The origin of the Zinfandel grape variety, which has become particularly famous in the USA, has been sought for a long time. Finally, in 1999, the mystery was finally solved. After DNA analyses it turned out that the Primitivo vine, native to southern Italian Apulia, is identical to the Zinfandel variety. Wines made from the Primitivo grape can confidently be described as high-quality. They have a high sugar content, which consequently leads to a relatively high alcohol content in the wine. However, this is typically ensnared with a harmonious taste. After all, 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 the wines from this variety have fallen somewhat out of fashion - due to their heavy and sweet taste - they are often used to refine other wines.

After careful harvesting of the individual grape varieties, a three-day traditional red wine fermentation with maceration on the skins takes place. The Contrada del Falco gets its special touch from the subsequent one-year storage in barrique barrels.

The Contrada di Falco takes its name from a story that is told in the area around San Donaci. According to this, the tree falcons are said to have always liked to rest under the large leaves of the autochthonous grape varieties Negroamaro, Malvasia and Primitivo on their way to wintering in Africa. Who knows whether a winemaker has ever been inspired by this observation to produce this wonderful wine.

As soon as you pour it into the wine glass, the Contrada del Falco Rosso Salento from the Cantina San Donaci delights the eye with a wonderful ruby red that radiates garnet reflections. The scent is clear, intense, and spicy with notes of red pulp fruits such as blackberries, raspberries, and currants. The taste of this southern Italian red wine is dry, harmonious, full-bodied, and spicy. The tannins are very fine and give the wine a clear structure. The finale is pretty long.

The Contrada del Falco unfolds its full potential at an ideal serving temperature of approximately 18 to 20°C. It pairs exceptionally well with robust appetizers and pasta, especially those accompanied by rich sauces such as Ragù or Pesto. Its exquisite companionship extends to grilled meats, be it tender steak, aromatic lamb chops, or hearty sausage. Furthermore, this blend of Negroamaro, Malvasia, and Primitivo perfectly complements the flavour of game. For enthusiasts of intense aromas, hard cheeses like Parmesan or Pecorino are the ideal complement to this wine. The inviting versatility of Contrada del Falco Rosso Salento IGP is equally evident in pizzas with hearty toppings and braised meats. In any combination, this wine reveals an exquisite balance, adding a refined taste to every dish.

General properties

• Vintage: 2019
• 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: Indicazione Geografica Protetta (IGP)
• Grape: 50% Negroamaro, 25% Malvasia and 25% Primitivo.
• Production area: Salento in the area of Brindisi and Lecce.
• 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 60 to 70q per hectare.
• Vinification: Obtained from a blend of Negroamaro, Primitivo 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 12 months, then aged in bottle.
• Sensory characteristics: Its bouquet is clear, intense and spicy. Notes of red pulp. The taste of this wine is dry, full-bodied and harmonious. Nicely integrated tannins and a long finish.
  
• Colour: Ruby red with light orange reflections.
• Alcohol content: 14.5 % Vol.
• Acid: 5.6 g/l
• Residual sugar: 8.0 g/l
• Closure type: Natural cork
• How to serve: Perfect with robust appetizers, pasta adorned with rich sauces, grilled meat, game, and hard cheeses such as Parmesan. Equally delightful with pizzas and braised meats.
  
• Recommended serving temperature: Between 18 and 20°C (Room temperature).
• Allergens: Contains sulfites
• EAN (bottle): 8023909010057
• Scope of supply: 1 bottle of wine 0.75 litres.

Grape variety

NEGROAMARO

The Negroamaro, a red grape variety originating from Apulia in Southern Italy, likely derives its name from the combination of "negro" (black) and "amaro" (bitter), indicative of the grape's distinctive qualities. This vine is characterized by its dark, almost black-purple hue, with large, round, deep green leaves and slightly fuzzy shoot tips. The medium-sized, compact grapes are conically shaped and boast dark purple to black, thick skins. The late ripening allows vintners to harvest optimally, resulting in wines with complex aromas and well-balanced acidity. Flourishing in Apulia's warm climate, the Negroamaro thrives, yielding wines with high alcohol content and balanced acidity. These versatile wines can be enjoyed as standalone varietals or blended in cuvées, contributing to the diverse wine landscape of Apulia. Overall, the adaptability of Negroamaro enhances the region's wine diversity, making it highly popular locally.

MALVASIA

The Malvasia Nera, a red grape variety likely originating in Italy, was cultivated in antiquity by Greek settlers. Today, it is found in Tuscany, Apulia, and other regions of Italy. The medium-sized, round leaves of the plant are deep green. The conically shaped grapes are medium-sized and loosely structured, allowing good ventilation and reducing the risk of fungal diseases. The small, round berries have a thick skin and vary from dark blue to black depending on ripeness. Malvasia Nera thrives in Mediterranean climates with warm summers and mild winters, particularly well in Apulia. Primarily used for red wines, its products are characterized by robust structure, good tannins, and complex aromas. The grapes are suitable for both varietal wines and blends with other grape varieties.

PRIMITIVO

The Primitivo grape variety, a red grape, is predominantly found in Apulia, Southern Italy. Its origins are believed to trace back to the Dalmatian region. The name "Primitivo" alludes to the early ripening of the grapes (Italian: "primo" means "first"). DNA analyses in the 1990s revealed its genetic kinship with Zinfandel, drawing international attention and elevating the popularity of Apulian Primitivo wines beyond Italy. Winemakers are increasingly focusing on producing high-quality wines, employing modern cultivation methods, and utilizing Barriques for maturation. The Primitivo plant boasts large, hand-shaped leaves and conical to cylindrical clusters of dark blue to violet grapes. The berries are medium to large, juicy, with a high sugar content. Primitivo adapts well to diverse conditions, ripens early, allowing for an early harvest, and has a historical journey encompassing migration, association with Zinfandel, and recognition as a distinct grape variety. Today, Primitivo is internationally acknowledged as a sophisticated grape for robust red wines.

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