Nardò

About the wine

The Nardò DOC, established in 1987, represents a traditional viticultural area in the province of Lecce, Puglia, specifically covering the communes of Nardò and Porto Cesareo. The wines are deeply rooted in the local Negroamaro grape, which must constitute at least 80% of the blend, reflecting the historical influence of Basilian monks and ancient Greek viticultural practices in the Salento peninsula. The DOC produces Rosso, Rosso Riserva, and Rosato styles. The Rosso is characterized by an intense ruby color and a dry, harmonious profile with a slight bitterness, while the Riserva offers a more complex, ethereal, and velvety structure. The Rosato is noted for its delicate, fruity, and vinous character. The region's Mediterranean climate, influenced by the Ionian Sea and the characteristic 'terra rossa' soils, provides an ideal environment for these robust, high-alcohol wines, which have historically been valued for their ability to withstand long-distance transport.

Grape varieties

Production & aging

The production area is strictly limited to the administrative territories of the communes of Nardò and Porto Cesareo, both located in the province of Lecce, Puglia. The vineyards are situated on silty-clay-calcareous soils of Pleistocene origin, benefiting from a Mediterranean climate with significant temperature fluctuations and the moderating influence of the nearby Ionian Sea.