Italian wine Primitivo refers to dark sweet wines with a fairly high content of alcohol and tannins. This drink is obtained from a variety of grapes, which is called Primitive. It can be found both in large supermarkets of the country, and in specialized stores. Thanks to its excellent taste and pleasant aroma, this alcoholic drink has won many admirers among wine lovers.
Origin history
The Primitivo grape variety has a connection with the Croatian Plavac Mali variety. It was bred in the mid-eighteenth century by the rector of the monastery, Francesco Indelicati. It was he who gave the name to grapes. Translated from Italian, this word means "first." For quite some time, Primitiveo wine materials were used only to enhance the color and taste of other wines. Wine from this variety has become a relatively independent brand recently.
Only thanks to modern technologies it was possible to reveal the real taste and aroma of an alcoholic beverage made from this juicy and aromatic grape. Today produced pink, sweet and red wines Primitivo, known throughout the world.
Wine geography
A grape variety was discovered on the border with Croatia. As already mentioned, it has a connection with the Plavac variety. In Italy, there are two areas that are industrially engaged in the cultivation of Primitivo. These are Manduria and the province of Bari. Since 1970, the landing area has gradually decreased. For example, if in the seventies more than forty seven thousand hectares were planted, in 2000 the area was reduced to eight thousand.
It is noteworthy that at the beginning of the nineteenth century the Italian variety was introduced in America, but only under a different name. Residents of the United States liked it so much that they immediately received the title of “national American grape”. Only through painstaking research, it was proved that the American variety Zinfandel is the very Italian Primitive.
Grape sort
This is a fairly early ripe variety. The first juicy clusters ripen in early August and continue to ripen until mid-September. Primitivo wine from this grape is extremely saturated, with a rich black color and aroma of wild berries. Wine connoisseurs find the taste and aroma of raspberries, cloves and cherries in Primitivo. This is a real sweet fortified wine made in an unusual peasant style.
The berries contain a lot of sugar, the amount of which sometimes reaches thirty percent. Due to this quality, with the addition of yeast, you can get a drink with a strength of seventeen degrees. The fruits are medium-sized and have a dark purple, almost black tint. Due to the fact that the berries have short petioles, they are quite densely located on the clusters.
Of the disadvantages of this variety, a tendency to pea is noted. And also due to the high density of the fit, overripe berries begin to rot, while one fourth of the bunch remains green. This uneven maturation is extremely inconvenient for harvesters and producers.
The chemical composition of berries
The fruits of this variety contain a huge amount of sugar, tannins and vitamins. Grapes slows down the aging process, helps to cope with colds and restores working capacity in case of a breakdown. In addition, berry juice prevents the formation of blood clots, thereby reducing the risk of stroke or heart attack. It is also used to prevent constipation. After all, grapes can run even the laziest intestines.
Juice of ripe berries perfectly heals the liver and protects the body from infection. This property is possessed primarily by dark grape varieties, to which Primitivo belongs. Scientists have noticed the following feature: the darker the grapes, the more antioxidants are contained in its composition.
The benefits and harms of red wine
Hippocrates wrote about its useful properties. The famous healer advised using wine as a prophylaxis of cancer and heart disease. In his opinion, saturated red wine reduces the risk of migraine attacks.
At the same time, people who abuse red wine very often suffer from hypertension and depression. Among the suicides, oddly enough, there were a lot of fans of red wine.
Puglia Wines
This rather hot and arid region is washed by the seas on both sides. The peculiar climate is the best suited for growing grapes. Since ancient times, Apulia has been considered a grape paradise. Here, the land was cultivated under the vineyards in the days of the Roman Empire. To date, more than seventy percent of the country's wine is produced in Puglia.
Perhaps, "Primitive" is the most famous and key variety. Wine Primitivo from Italy was the first to receive the category of DC back in 1969. For this grape in Puglia allotted land rich in clay and limestone. In addition to Primitivo, such popular varieties as Negroamaro and Aleatico are grown in Puglia.
Taste and Aroma
Red wine Primitivo is characterized by a rather mild flavor and fruity aroma. It captures the light notes of vanilla, plum, cherry and blackberry. This wine is usually served with meat dishes, sauce, cheese and pasta. Price and quality depend on both the aging method and its duration. Thus, the price of the drink is formed. One of the most expensive is considered to be semi-dry red wine Primitivo Feudi di San Marzano, and more affordable - Felline.
Semi-dry red
In the production of wines, only one grape variety is most often used - Primitivo. These alcoholic drinks have the aroma of wild berries, blackcurrants, jam, cherries, nutmegs and cocoa. They have a fairly fresh finish with a velvety and voluminous structure and pleasant sweet notes.
Dry red wine Primonero Li Veli, in addition to the primary Primitivo grape variety used, also contains the Negroamaro variety. Translated "Negroamaro" means - "black and bitter." It perfectly complements the sweet "Primitive" and gives it the necessary balance of taste. Semi-dry red wine Primitivo Feudi di San Marzano is diluted with a fairly well-known Merlot variety, widely used in the preparation of French wines.
In a word, producers skillfully supplement the base, consisting of Primitivo, with other grape varieties and get new great drinks.
Wine storage
It is kept mainly in basements with the most convenient storage conditions. First of all, the air temperature should not exceed fifteen degrees and be below ten. Withstand the drink for at least 24 months. After the end of the recommended period, the wine acquires a ruby hue, which eventually turns into saturated purple. He has an aroma of tobacco and wild berries. Bottles of drink are kept exclusively at an angle in a horizontal position.
Reviews
In their reviews, customers often praise the Primitivo wine and recommend it for consumption. According to most, the advantages of this product include flavor and a fairly low price. In the supermarket, the popular red dry wine Messer del Fauno Primitivo Puglia can be purchased for 350 rubles. It has a rich cherry shade with light purple tints. Judging by consumer reviews, among the aromas of wine felt notes of cappuccino, vanilla and sweet pastries. The drink is sweet enough, with a slight aftertaste. It is advised to use with meat dishes or light cheese snacks.
Epicuro Primitivo Manduria has a slightly sour taste and rich red color. According to users, "Primitive di Manduria" is quite strong, so it should be used only when refrigerated. Wine "Il Poggio is Miranzana" is rather harsh and a little tasteless. Due to too much tannin, a sour taste is felt and almost no berries are felt. In a word, buyers do not particularly like this type of wine.
Before consuming wine from Italy, users are advised to hold it a little open. Then the drink is poured into a glass and inhale the aroma of the bouquet. Someone compares its smell with flowers, and someone with fruit. Almost all customers note the surprisingly pleasant aroma of Primitivo di manduria, while its taste is criticized. Sometimes you can read opinions that the price of such a product is somewhat overstated, and semi-dry red wine is not worth the money. However, as they say, how many people have so many opinions.
Most reviews are usually positive. Only a small part of the buyers were dissatisfied with the acquisition of wine. This suggests that the Primitivo red wines are a worthy product that is not in vain enjoyed some popularity among fans of the grape alcoholic drink.