Primitivo and Sangiovese grapes are used for this Gran Maestro Rosso Puglia Appasimento. It's not just any wine; it's an Appassimento wine, meaning it's made from dried grapes. The Primitivo and Sangiovese grapes grow in Salento, in the Puglia region, under the best conditions, to form full and powerful bunches. Before harvesting, the branches supporting the grapes are cut, depriving them of nutrients and allowing them to dry in the sun. This technique is called the Appassimento technique. This gives this Gran Maestro Rosso a fuller and smoother flavor. When the grapes are perfectly ripe and sufficiently dried, they are hand-picked. This is an even more rigorous selection process, as only the finest grapes are good enough for this red Gran Maestro.
The final result of all the effort in the vineyards is certainly impressive. Upon pouring, we were pleasantly surprised by the beautiful deep red color with a purple core. The aroma offered a warm bouquet of ripe red fruit, a touch of stewed plums, and a touch of dark chocolate. The palate is soft, very refined, and powerful, with hints of blackberries, ripe cherries, and blueberries. On the back of the tongue, we detected notes of vanilla, cocoa, and stewed red fruit.
