Fortium Salice Salentino 2014

Negroamaro is the hero of Italy’s Puglia region and described by critic Matthew Jukes as “a fabulous red grape, bursting with coffee, herb and plum aromas”. It is said to grow best on the Salento peninsula, where the grapes benefit from the arid, rocky soils, and warm winds off the Ionian Sea. Small, knotted bunches of thick skinned grapes result, giving dark, concentrated juice packed with flavour. One of the region’s top cellars is Cantine Due Palme, whose boss, Angelo Maci, is a champion of southern Italy’s indigenous varieties. Negroamaro and Malvasia Nera join forces for this spectacular red. Aged in French oak for six months, it’s a hearty mouthful best enjoyed with equally hearty foods such as spicy casseroles or roasted red meats.