Aglianico Forme Rosso IGT 2019 – Massimo Leone

The Winery started its activity in 2007, lies in the centre of “Tavoliere delle Puglie”, with the desire of a farmer to revive and protect the ancient connection between history and land. This is the reason why they chose to plant native grape varieties, and mark once again the road that the Greeks lined out thousands of years before. The Vines are planted on a light coloured and rocky soil on which the only vine training system you can use is the espalier. Their purpose is quality and in order to reach it they pay the highest care through an adequate irrigation, a careful pruning and rasping, and a low yield per hectare. The grapes are harvested manually when the perfect balance between sugars and acids is reached. The vines are located very closet o the cellar where Fiano, Falanghina, Bombino, Primitivo, Aglianico, Nero di Troia and Montepulciano are cultivated. With regard to the methods of cultivation, Cantine Massimo Leone does not use insecticides and rely solely on the traditional use of sulphur and copper which strongly discourage the presence of mildew and powdery mildew thanks to the ideal climatic conditions in Puglia. As fertilizer and for nitrogen fixation they plant fava beans in their vineyards. The use of field beans, as fertiliser goes back to the Treaties on agriculture of the ancient Roman Empire. Is an efficient and natural way to fertilise the field and significantly increases the availability of nutrients in the soil improves its physical structure.

Aglianico

Known as the “Nebbiolo of the south” and believed to be one of Italy’s oldest grape varieties alongside Sangiovese and Nebbiolo, Aglianico is one of the world’s great red grapes. This moniker only scratches the surface yet speaks to the variety’s ability to express finesse and pedigree from a multitude of unique vineyard sites. Some of the most exciting bottlings come from the Puglia, Campania and Basilicata. Aglianico often shows best with a bit of age, yet many examples on the market today show immediate accessibility, with potential to hold well in the cellar.