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Sun, Sea, Wind , Wines of the Salento
By, Yle Sambati, Lecce, Italy
Being an native of the area of Puglia, the Salento, Ylenia Sambati knows the land, the people and the rewards that hard working farmers can obtain from the grape vines that cover the rich soil.
This spectacular fertile peninsula called Puglia is surrounded on two sides by water; the Ionic and Adriatic Seas. Situated in the “heel of the boot” it is actually one of the most fertile growing regions in all of Europe. Thousands of olive trees as well as Mediterranean herbs, wheat, almonds and figs add complexity to the several grape varieties.
The emphasis of Puglia’s wines is placed on quality of production, not on quantity. Puglia is finally a wine destination in Italy. “I can only be happy about this recognition.” Before it was known as “europe’s wine cellar” producing 10% of all the wine consumed in Europe. For many years in fact the wine of Puglia was shipped north of Italy to France to give structure to their wines and when their local harvest was insufficient. Puglia produces more wine than any other region making up around 17% of the Italy’s national total.
Puglia wine has a specific personality and balances density, sweetness, acid and alcohol content. This region has a romantic, rustic, simple landscape with a unique red earth revealing the presence of red clay underneath as well as a layer of limestone that gives Puglia wine such a minerality and complexity. Furthermore the wines get the aroma and flavor from the soil and the plants, all organic of course, that grow naturally. Its’ Mediterranean climate is hot, with sunny days and most of the time cooled by the ocean breezes.
