€28.00
Susumaniello is a little-known red-wine grape from Puglia, southern Italy which ranks among the world’s rarest wine grapes. The name is derived from somarello, meaning “donkey”, presumably because, just like the donkeys once used for transporting the grape harvest, this high-yielding variety is capable of bearing remarkably heavy loads. The vigour drops rapidly after ten years or so which may account for its rarity and consequent modern attempts to reintroduce it as a quality grape variety.
In Schola Sarmenti the grape is hand harvested and hand sorted to create a rich, fascinating and long lived wine vying to be recognised as the star grape of Puglia.
A deep ruby hue and aromas of red berries and plums with sweet spice carries over to the red plum and cherry core. Aged twelve for months in medium-toasted French oak tonneaux, this medium to full bodied wine is also soft and supple on the palate, with balanced acidity and firm tannins for structure.
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