Region: Apulia (Puglia)

Zone:

Primitivo di Manduria DOC(G)

The Primitivo grape, which totally dominates the vineyards around the cities of Manduria and Sava as well as other cities in the provinces of Taranto and Brindisi, is the main source for full-bodied red wines from the heel of the Italian boot.

A few years ago, Primitivo di Manduria was obscure and dominated by large cooperatives that primarily produced boring, sweetish, oxidized bulk wine in large quantities, but in the early 1990’s, serious producers changed the attitude and invested in new equipment, small barrels and new production methods. From then on, Manduria changed from walking in a dead end to being one of the most dynamic wine zones in Italy.

The name “Primitivo” is derived from the Italian word “primi” (early), which alludes to the time of the harvest, thus the name does not refer in any way to a primitive grape or wine.

It’s now confirmed that the Primitivo variety is related to California’s Zinfandel grape, reportedly brought to North America from Central Europe. As a consequence of these family ties, several Apulian producers name their Primitivo wines “Zinfandel”. Does that improve a bit the US wine sales?

The previous Apulian version of the Primitivo/Zinfandel grape was wild and very difficult to tame, rampant, opulent, dry and sometimes almost sweet. Thus, there were very few similarities with the US relative, but now, since taming the wine became possible, it is possible that it seduces with the elegance of its cousin.

Primitivo di Manduria produces red wines that vary from dry to sweetish. The sweet red wine Primitivo di Manduria Dolce Naturale, received the first DOCG appellation in Apulia.

Read more about the wines from Primitivo di Manduria DOC(G) by clicking i the top menu in the right side.