Giustini. Susumaniello 'Avoglia'

Puglia IGT
Grape: Susumaniello

Super-fresh black cherry and raspberry, violet, perhaps a touch of fresh strawberry jam.  Soft tannins, violet laced fruit, a lovely ripe purity – this is Puglia’s Beaujolais, it is delicious chilled. 13%

5000 bottles made

Giustini producer page

Susumaniello is a fascinating red grape, a crossing of Garganega (the white grape of Soave) and Uva Sogra (which I know nothing about).  Which yields generously for the first 10 years of its life and then calms down.  I remember rumours of its existence in 2003, then only a few hectares had been officially registered, today there is a genuine and deserved excitement.

Giustini’s vineyard is close to an inland sea, Mare Piccolo.  The vines are between 10-15 years old, and Guyot* trained on fertile soils.  The grapes are hand-picked in the second half of September.  The bunches are de-stemmed given a cold soak (chilled maceration*) before a temperature-controlled fermentation between 22-24ºC, using selected yeasts.  The wine is aged in steel for a few months before bottling.