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Vinicola
Savese Puglia, Italy
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La Famiglia Pichierri - Vinicola Savese
In this ancient land the locals retire in summer
at 11 am to resurface at 4pm to escape the mid-day
heat. The Pichierri family vineyards are located
in the region of Puglia, in the area known as
Sava. Situated on the Salento peninsula, Italy's
boot heel, Sava is high on the instep on a gentle
rise known as the Murge Tarantine. Here, where
the soil is red, dotted by white limestone and
the hills are low and the land is open, stand
the vines of the Primitivo grape, the Italian
cousin to Zinfandel. They grow close to the ground
standing like ancient gnomes with their arms stretched
up to the sky to bask in the heat of the sun.
Microclimate variation is created by air currents
crossing from the Adriatic to the interior Ionian
Sea. The midday sun is scorching, due to the close
proximity to North Africa, but microclimate variations
are created by air currents crossing from the
Adriatic to the interior Ionian Sea. The earliest
knowledge of this varietal is that it originated
in Greece. It is not known exactly how or when
this plant was transported into Italy, but the
history of this grape in Italy dates back many
centuries. In the 17th century it is known that
the Benedictine monks named the varietal "Primitivo"
because of its precociousness (early maturity
of the grape) in this zone.
It's here that Vittorio Pichierri and his brothers,
labor passionately to achieve finesse in the making
of the best Primitivo di Manduria DOC. The grapes
are harvested at full ripeness and fermentation
begins with skin contact held to three days to
maximize color extraction but limit harsh tannins.
The wine is aged to maturity in large containers
and then bottled.
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Primitivo of Manduria and Tarantino
Vermiglio Primitivo di Tarantino
This wine is from the same production area as
the Petrose, but from vines that are much younger.
While there is a greater production of grapes
per hectar from the Vermiglio vineyards, the standard
of the grapes are of the highest quality. All
the vinification, maturation, barrique and bottle
aging are the same. The difference is the youth
of the vines which produces a wine with a lower
alcohol content, in comparison to the elder vines
of the Le Petrose. Vermiglio has a beautiful deep
red color with lots of rich red fruit flavors.
An ideal wine for all types of dining.
Le Petrose Primitivo di Tarantino
The Le Petrose vineyard is in the geographic area
of Tarantino which is a larger production area
than the Mandurian DOC area. While the production
area is larger, the quality of the grapes is high,
giving wine with a high bric sugar content and
an alcohol content of 14%. The harvest generally
takes place in the second half of September when
the grapes are completely matured. They are left
to macerate on the skins for several days, at
which time the "must" is separated from the rest
of the juice and fermented separately under temperature
control to sharpen the aroma that is present.
The maturation goes on for several months in amphorae
vasks after which the mature juice is added to
the must and the refinement is completed in barrique.
The wine is then further refined in the bottle,
at low temperatures, in order to give us the full
benefit of all this wineÕs beautiful characteristics.
Rich ruby red in color and with excellent balance
and full fruit flavors, Le Petrose is a superb
compliment to red meats, game and spicy cheeses.
Serve at room temperature.
Terrarossa Primitivo di Manduria
This Primitivo wine is a beautiful deep ruby color,
intense, with rich plummy aromas. It is dry, soft,
and rich with excellent balance, medium body ripe
fruit flavors and a long finish with soft tannins.
A wonderful compliment when served with roasted
red meats, wild game, and spicy cheeses. Serve
at room temperature.
Tradizione del Nonno di Manduria
These vines are truly aged, an average of 50 years,
and while they bear a small amount of fruit, it
is the sweetest fruit. The grapes for the Tradizione
del Nonno are allowed to over-mature slightly
on the vine in order to increase the brix sugar
and alcohol content. The fermentation period begins
with skin contact for a few days to maximize color
extraction and limit harsh tannins. The wine is
aged in large amphorae and then in 225 liter oak
barrels, with further aging done in the bottle...
all under the strictest temperature control so
as not to alter the characteristics of the beautiful
wine.
This is a huge, robust, fruity , yet dry wine
with a delightful aroma and a smooth velvety finish.
It is a perfect compliment to pastas, roasts,
game and sharp cheeses. This wine should be decanted
a minimum of 2 hours before serving in order to
appreciate its full beauty.
Primitivo Dolce di Manduria
A deep, brilliant ruby color with bright cherry
and current aromas tending toward port. A wine
that is rich, smooth and refreshing with lively
fruit flavors and sweetness, balanced acidity
and a rich appealing finish. Serve at room temperature
with dry pastry, almond paste, roasted chestnuts
or dry fruit pie.
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