Primitivo Appassimento Lucale, Puglia

An intense garnet colour, with a complex bouquet reminiscent of cherry, raspberry and redcurrant, full-bodied and supple, with layers of dark fruit, fine tannin and a lingering finish.

Made using an unusual Italian method (il giro del picciolo, literally ‘twisting the stem’),  workers go through the vineyard in late August and twist the stems of 50% of grape bunches – this effectively blocks all nourishment and water reaching the grapes, forcing the grapes to undergo a natural drying process on the vine. The grapes can lose a quarter to a third of their weight in water, concentrating their sweetness and complexity.  After harvest the bunches are destemmed and only the free-run juice is used, the grapes are not crushed,  the wine is finally aged for eight months in French and American barriques.

£12.25