Salice Salentino DOC

🇮🇹 Italy

DOC

DOC 1976 - Negroamaro heartland, 1,950ha, Salento peninsula's flagship red, Leone de Castris 1665 heritage, Taurino quality revolution, put Puglia on the world wine map

Region profile

History

Greeks called Puglia "Oenotria" (land of wine); Negroamaro planted since 6th century BC. For centuries, Salento wines shipped north as bulk. 1665: Duke Oronzo Earl of Lemos founded Leone de Castris. 1943: Leone de Castris created Italy's FIRST bottled rose "Five Roses" for American troops. 1954: First red Salice Salentino bottled. 1976: DOC granted. 1972: Dr. Cosimo Taurino founded winery, quality renaissance began.

Climate
Hot Mediterranean with extreme sunshine; Salento peninsula between Adriatic and Ionian Seas; 20km northwest of Lecce city; entirely landlocked but sea breezes from both coasts moderate temperatures; regularly exceeds 40°C summer; 300+ days sunshine annually; deep clay-limestone soils ideal for Negroamaro; flat terrain; drought-resistant viticulture essential
Signature wines
Salice Salentino Riserva DOC (Leone de Castris - historic benchmark since 1665; Taurino - quality standard; Candido Duca d'Aragona; Cantele); deep ruby to garnet; dark cherry, plum, earth, tobacco, leather; firm tannins; pairs with lamb, aged cheeses; ages 8-15+ years
What sets it apart
Negroamaro's heartland since 6th century BC; Leone de Castris 1665 - one of Italy's oldest wineries; 1943 Italy's FIRST bottled rose; put Puglia on world wine map; Taurino quality revolution 1972; Salento's flagship red

Facts

  • DOC 1976 (established same year as Squinzano)
  • 1,950 hectares (4,815 acres)
  • ~959,000 cases annually
  • Negroamaro documented since 6th century BC
  • Leone de Castris winemaking since 1665 (Duke Oronzo Earl of Lemos)
  • 1943: Leone de Castris created Italy's FIRST bottled rose "Five Roses"
  • 1954: first red Salice Salentino bottled
  • Taurino founded 1972 by Dr. Cosimo Taurino
  • leading producers: Leone de Castris, Taurino, Candido, Cantele