Yes, you read that correctly above: for this wine, a portion of the bunches are allowed to dry. After harvesting, the bunches are laid out on beds to lose some of their weight; this technique is called Appassimento. A well-known wine that also undergoes the Appassimento technique is the king's wine of Italy, Amarone. Can we then say that this is a kind of king's wine of Puglia? One hundred percent. Just when the bunches have dried sufficiently, the juice is combined, creating a kind of golden marriage. The wine becomes powerful, velvety-soft, and ripe in flavor.
We open the bottle and smell the power of dark chocolate, soft cherries, and a hint of toffee. In the glass, it shimmers deep purple with a faint red rim. The aromas burst from the glass, bringing to mind black fruits like blackberries and cherries, complemented by vanilla and raisins. From the first taste, we're smitten and understand the name Passo Grande. Big flavors of plums and cherries on the palate, with silky-soft notes of blueberry. On the cheeks, some raisins, herbs, and vanilla. The finish reveals ripe notes of toffee, sweet spices, and a touch of caramel.
