The Negroamaro
Grape
A red grape variety indigenous to Puglia in southern Italy, particularly Salento. It produces rich, full-bodied wines with flavors of dark fruits, earth, and spices, often with a slight bitterness (amaro means "bitter" in Italian). Negroamaro is used both for varietal wines and blends, contributing depth and intensity.
Negroamaro
Grape History
Negroamaro is a red wine grape variety primarily grown in the region of Puglia in southern Italy. The name "Negroamaro" is thought to be a combination of the Italian words for "black" (negro) and "bitter" (amaro), which reflects the grape's deep color and slightly bitter flavor profile.
The history of Negroamaro dates back thousands of years to the ancient Greek settlers who first cultivated the vine in what is now modern-day Italy. The grape thrives in the warm climate and fertile soil of the Puglia region, where it has been grown for centuries. Negroamaro is known for its dark, full-bodied wines with flavors of dark berries, spice, and earthy undertones.
While Negroamaro is often used as a blending grape in wines such as Salice Salentino and Primitivo, it is also bottled as a varietal wine. Some of the most famous wines made from Negroamaro include Salice Salentino DOC and Copertino DOC. These wines are known for their bold flavors and ability to age well.
In addition to Puglia, Negroamaro is also grown in other parts of southern Italy, such as Sicily and Calabria. The grape's thick skins and high levels of tannins make it well-suited for the hot, dry climates of these regions.
The future of Negroamaro looks promising as interest in Italian wines continues to grow around the world. The grape's ability to produce deeply colored, flavorful wines with good aging potential has garnered attention from wine enthusiasts and critics alike. As winemakers continue to experiment with different winemaking techniques and styles, the versatility of Negroamaro will likely ensure its place as a staple in the world of Italian wine.
Overall, Negroamaro is a rich and complex grape variety with a long history and a bright future. Its deep-rooted connection to the land and the people of Puglia make it a truly unique and special grape that continues to captivate wine lovers everywhere.
Introduction
Hello, my name is Franklin Laurel - Welcome!
I started drinking wine in 1992 when I was in my early twenties and recently married. Like many other young Southern Californians, it started out with White Zinfandel. As we were a couple of young DINKs just beginning life together, and on a budget, our go-to-wine was Sutter Home White Zinfandel, which tasted a lot like wine coolers and probably cost at the time $2.49. If we really were going to splurge, we would step it up and buy Beringer White Zinfandel for $2.99. Those were the days....
After a little time, we decided to get fancy. We stepped up our game and bought some wonderful 2-Buck Chuck from Trader Joe's. The Charles Shaw (Trader Joe's Exclusive Label) wine, also known as 2-Buck-Chuck extended our pallet into Reds for only $1.99 a bottle. Over the years we continued to grow in our understanding of wine (finally ran into some good wine) and we slowly kept buying better and better bottles.
Our first wine club purchase was from Kenwood's Vineyards, in Kenwood, California located in Sonoma Valley, right next to the famous Napa Valley. I began to learn about tobacco leather, and earthiness, and lots of other strange terminology when tasting their signature Zinfandels (of the red variety). So that is how it all began.
Fast forward a couple decades, and we have been members of five different wine clubs, and now have a passion for California's red wines. My favorite by far is Cabernet Sauvignon, while my wife fancies a good Syrah, Malbec, or Merlot - but she also loves the smell of a wine barrel room, which is all about the notes of Cabernet Sauvignon.
As I come across great wine resources and useful information that I find in planning my own wine trips, I will share here for anyone that might stumble across my humble website.
Cheers! - Franklin Laurel