Salento Susumaniello IGT 2021 Masseria Ficarigna

This Salento Susumaniello comes to life from one of the native vines that are the pride of the Salento peninsula, of which Masseria Ficarigna is the spokesperson. The name of the winery refers to the prickly pear plant, the symbolic fruit of Salento. The label depicts a donkey, a pack animal on which in the past the baskets of prickly pears were loaded to take to the market.

The grapes are harvested in the middle of September. The vinification process begins with the pressing of the grapes, followed by fermentation at a controlled temperature of 22-24 °C with maceration on the skins for 6–8 days. This is followed by an ageing in steel until bottling.

Ruby red in colour, it emanates a complex aromatic range on the nose that ranges from fruity notes of black currant and plum to notes of thyme and ink, reached by touches of flint in the finish. The taste is soft and well balanced, characterized by soft tannins and a pleasant freshness.

It lends itself to being paired with first and second courses based on red meat, but also well-stocked with rich platters of aged cheeses.