Primitivo del Salento: the history and the legend
Puglia produces many excellent wines, but Primitivo del Salento is one of the most famous and appreciated. It represents a major part of the region's wine production and its name will be familiar even to those with little knowledge of wine. If you are interested in tasting wines from Puglia that have received high praise in international competitions and are regularly given high ratings by the world's most famous wine critics, you need to try a glass of "Primitivo".
The history of the “Primitivo” grape
There are multiple theories on the history and origin of this particular black grape, but all agree on it not being native to this region – that being said, its presence in Apulia dates so far back that it is now universally considered a local variety. According to one theory, the grape variety “Primitivo” is probably of French origin and it is believed to have been imported to Apulia at the time of the Crusades, by pilgrims travelling to the Holy Land.
Other wine historians attribute its original cultivation to the Illyrians, an ancient grape-growing people who lived in the region that is now Croatia. They supposedly brought this grape variety to Apulia, where it adapted so well that, when the Greeks colonized these lands, bringing with them the black grape varieties, ancestors of today's Aglianico, the latter failed do become predominant in the region.
The earliest definite historical traces of Primitivo, however, date back to the 18th century, when a clergyman from Gioia del Colle, Don Francesco Filippo Indelicati, left the first written records concerning this grape variety.
Primitivo del Salento: characteristics and pairings
Regardless of where the grape originally came from, Salento is where it found the perfect soil and hot, dry weather conditions to thrive and develop into a great wine that is celebrated to this day and is considered to be one of the most important grapes grown in Puglia, along with Negroamaro and Aglianico. The area of production is concentrated between the provinces of Lecce, Taranto, and Brindisi. The Primitivo grape is grown on sandy soils that are not far from the sea, so that it can take in the breeze and the aromas adding to its already wide range of flavours.
Primitivo del Salento is a red wine for connoisseurs, very aromatic, with intense, rich, enveloping flavor and undertones of wild berries and strawberries.
It makes for a fresh and balanced glass, not too tannic, that pairs excellently with meat, especially with Salento recipes based on roasted or stewed lamb, kid, and pork, or with pasta dishes with meat sauces. Primitivo del Salento should be served at a temperature of 18-20 degrees, although many, especially in summer, also enjoy it cooler.
Treat your tastebuds to the ultimate Salento experience!
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