SASSEO Primitivo Salento IGT 2022

“Sasseo” Primitivo Salento IGT 2022 / Masseria Altemura / Apulia

Red wine from Italy

Located on the beautiful Salento peninsula, an area steeped in history, Masseria Altemura winery aims to offer a new perspective on the wines of southern Italy's Puglia region. Geographically, the winery is located between the Ionian and the Adriatic Sea in the centre of Puglia. Here, halfway between the cities of Taranto and Brindisi, there is a unique maritime climate that offers very favourable conditions for viticulture with plenty of sunlight.

If you like, the history of Masseria Altemura begins as early as the 4th century BC. with the construction of the tower in the locality of Santa Susana. The Masseria Altemura, like other farms in Puglia, was originally a fortified farmhouse with the purpose of protecting the land and its resources from unauthorized invaders. In 2000, the Zonin family purchased the property and restored it to its original glory. The winery currently owns three hundred hectares of land, half of which is planted with vines.

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 solved. The surprise was great when DNA analysis revealed 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. This is usually ensnared with a harmonious taste.

The grapes for the Sasseo Primitivo Salento IGT thrive on selected sites and are harvested in the first week of September. The harvest only takes place when some of the berries on the vine are already overripe. After delivery to the wine cellar, the grapes are carefully destemmed and gently pressed. The must then ferments in steel tanks at a controlled temperature of 26ºC. The Sasseo is finally aged for twelve months in large Slavonian oak barrels and a further six months in its bottles.

With the "Sasseo" Primitivo Salento IGT from Masseria Altemura, a red wine with a distinctive character and unmistakable style comes to the table. As the name suggests, it is the expression of a limestone ("sasso," the rock) that emerges from the red Salento soil and becomes a mirror of light. In the nose it presents intense, full aromas of plum and red fruit jam, which are lined with gentle hints of spices. On the palate, this round and dry wine is full, warm, and soft, showing very ripe fruit supported by a pleasant texture of mild tannins.

The "Sasseo" Primitivo Salento IGT from Masseria Altemura reveals its full splendour when served at an optimal temperature of about 16 to 18 degrees Celsius. It pairs exceptionally well with red meats such as grilled or roasted beef, lamb, pork, and game. Its robust structure and intense fruit aromas complement the rich and often fatty flavours of these meats. The wine's tannins cut through the fat, while its fruitiness elegantly enhances the taste of the meat. For pasta dishes, particularly those with hearty sauces like Bolognese or Amatriciana, this Primitivo is an ideal companion. The wine's acidity balances the acidity in tomato sauces, while its rich fruit aromas amplify and refine the sauce's flavour. The "Sasseo" from Salento also pairs wonderfully with pizza topped with spicy and savoury ingredients such as salami, pepperoni, or bacon. The wine's bold flavours complement the spice and intensity of the toppings, while its acidity and tannins balance their fattiness. Mature and strong cheeses like Pecorino, Parmesan, or Gorgonzola also benefit from the company of this Primitivo. The wine balances the salty and intense flavours of these cheeses and provides a fruity complement that rounds and refines the taste. For stews and casseroles, such as pot roast, beef goulash, and hearty stews, the deep, complex aromatics of this Southern Italian red wine truly shine. The wine's acidity helps to balance the heaviness of these slow-cooked dishes, while its fruitiness highlights and rounds out the intense meat flavours.

General properties

• Vintage: 2022
• Ageing: Dry
• Country: Italy
• Region: Apulia (Puglia)
• Volume: 0,75 litres

Detailed properties

• Producer and bottler: Masseria Altemura - Contrada Palombara sp 69 - 72028 Torre Santa Susanna (Brindisi) - Italia - +39 0831 740485
• Quality Designation: Indicazione Geografica Tipica (IGT)
• Grape: 100% Primitivo from the province of Brindisi.
  
• Vinification and aging: The Sasseo grow in selected locations (40 ha). The grapes are picked in the first week of September, with some of the grapes being slightly overripe. Then they are de-stemmed and gently pressed. The must ferments in steel tanks at a temperature of 26°C. The wine is then aged for 12 months in large Slavonian oak barrels and for a further 6 months in bottles.
  
• Sensory characteristics: On the nose it presents intense, full aromas of plum and red fruit jam and gentle hints of spices. This round wine is full, warm and soft in the mouth and shows very ripe fruit supported by a pleasant tissue of mild tannins.
  
• Colour: Dark, deep ruby red.
  
• Alcohol content: 14,5 % Vol.
• Residual sugar: 7,7 g/l
• Acidity: 5,7 g/l
• Closure type: Natural cork.
• Serving suggestion: Pairs excellently with grilled or roasted beef, lamb, pork, and game. It is ideal for pasta with robust sauces such as Bolognese or Amatriciana. It also harmonises well with pizza topped with spicy ingredients like salami, pepperoni, or bacon. Mature cheeses like Pecorino, Parmesan, or Gorgonzola benefit from its accompaniment. Additionally, this red wine reveals its complex aromatics with stews and casseroles, such as pot roast and beef goulash.
  
• Recommended serving temperature: Between 16 and 18°C.
• Ingredients: Grapes; Stabilising agents: Contains Citric acid and/or Potassium polyaspartate and/or Gum arabic; Preservatives: Sulphites.
• Allergen: Contains sulfites.
• Warning: Consuming alcoholic beverages during pregnancy, even in small quantities, can have serious consequences for the child's health.
• EAN (bottle): 8002235001014
• Scope of supply: 1 bottle of wine 0.75 litres.

Grape variety

PRIMITIVO

The Primitivo grape, a red variety, is primarily found in the southern Italian region of Apulia. This region, characterized by its warm Mediterranean climate, provides an ideal environment for the Primitivo grape to thrive. The grape's origins likely trace back to the Dalmatian region along the eastern Adriatic coast. In the 18th century, the Primitivo grape made its way to Apulia, particularly around the town of Manduria, where it found a suitable home. The name "Primitivo" is thought to derive from the grape's early ripening, as "primo" means "first" in Italian. DNA analyses in the 1990s revealed a genetic match between Primitivo and Zinfandel, bringing international attention to the Primitivo grape. This discovery contributed to the growing popularity of Primitivo wines from Apulia beyond Italy's borders. Over the past few decades, the cultivation of Primitivo in Apulia has advanced, with winemakers increasingly focused on producing high-quality wines. Modern cultivation techniques, meticulous winemaking, and the use of barriques for aging have all contributed to the improvement in wine quality. The leaves of the Primitivo plant are large, hand-shaped, and typically a medium to dark green. Depending on the sub-variety, the shape of the leaves can vary, but they are generally five-lobed. The grape clusters are conical to cylindrical, with closely packed, medium to large berries that are dark blue to violet in colour. These berries are round, medium to large in size, and have a thick skin. The flesh is juicy and has a high sugar content, which can result in robust wines. Primitivo vines tend to grow vigorously and develop substantial foliage. They adapt well to various soils and climatic conditions. The relatively early ripening of the Primitivo grape, which gives it its name, allows for an early harvest. The historical development of the Primitivo grape is marked by migration, its connection with Zinfandel, and its gradual recognition as a significant and distinct variety. Today, Primitivo is celebrated both in Italy and internationally as a distinguished grape for producing powerful and characterful red wines.

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Bulk discount:

• 3 x SASSEO Primitivo Salento IGT 2022
• 6 x SASSEO Primitivo Salento IGT 2022