Produttori di Manduria
Manduria is famous for its wine, Primitivo, which represents one of the oldest and most prestigious native varieties in Italy. The association of Producers of Manduria fits into this context, composed of a network of cellars, small and medium-sized wineries, which work together to guarantee quality, authenticity and innovation in the wine scene. Thanks to their experience and passion, these companies are able to offer consumers an excellent product that tells the story of the territory, its tradition and its culture, but not only.
It is possible, by reservation, to have tastings and guided tours of the cellars, a unique experience, not to be missed if you visit Puglia!
Origins and production area
The history of this cooperative is linked to the history of this extraordinary wine: Primitivo di Manduria.
The adventure began in 1928 when a small circle of winemakers took over an old factory where the Federazione Vini was founded, an association, made official in 1932 when the “Consorzio Produttori Vini e Mosti rossi superiore da taglio per la zona di Manduria” was created.
Primitivo di Manduria was for a long time considered a low-ranking wine that since the 90s, thanks to a decisive change of direction, has revived this wine by focusing on the quality of the grapes and the organoleptic characteristics of the product.
Produttori di Manduria today has a vineyard area of over 900 hectares that all fall within the area of the DOC Primitivo di Manduria specification. The company’s ampelographic heritage is dominated by the native Primitivo vine: more than half of the production facilities, in fact, are used for the cultivation of this prized traditional variety which, together with Negroamaro and Malvasia, has represented the name of Puglia and Salento winemaking in particular in the world.
Tastings and guided tours
One of the most fascinating experiences offered by the Associazione Produttori di Manduria concerns tastings. The association’s cellars offer visitors the chance to taste a wide range of wines, with particular attention to Primitivo di Manduria, but also to other typical vines such as Negroamaro and Malvasia Nera. Each visit is a unique opportunity to discover not only the tastes and nuances of wine, but also the traditional and modern winemaking techniques, which are the basis of a superior quality product.
In this context, the visitor is welcomed by the majestic nineteenth-century ‘star’ vaults of the oldest wing of the structure, surrounded by inebriating scents and then continues into the ancient underground cisterns, where the Museum of the Primitivo wine civilization is located.
Best wines of the Association
In the vast selection of wines of Produttori di Manduria, you can taste some of the most renowned:
- Primitivo di Manduria Lirica 2017: a red wine from Puglia produced with the most typical vine of the area, produced from grapes harvested manually from 20-50 year old vineyards grown in the Apulian sapling and espalier style located in the Manduria area. Excellent with first courses of land, roasts, braised meats and medium-aged cheeses.
- Alice 2020 Verdeca Salento IGT: bright golden yellow. Delicious aromas of hawthorn and acacia, cedar and yellow grapefruit alongside mineral and saline notes. Whiffs of aromatic herbs. Fresh and savoury on the palate with a citrus aftertaste. Good persistence. Excellent with fish-based dishes.
- Aka 2020 Primitivo Salento IGT: coral pink, crystalline, which anticipates the good structure of the wine. The aroma is characterised by a fragrant fruitiness that expresses hints of red apple, fresh wild strawberries and raspberry. Perfect as an aperitif with seafood and ideal to accompany first and second courses of the Salento seafood tradition.
- Primitivo di Manduria Dolce Naturale Il Madrigale 2016: is a traditional specialty of the Produttori di Manduria winery, produced with a late harvest of grapes from the oldest vines on the estate. The “Madrigale” is a Primitivo Dolce Naturale that highlights the predisposition of the Primitivo bunches to drying and vinification with a high sugar content. On the palate it is warm and harmonious, persuasive and rich, with soft fruity aromas and a silky and evolved tannic texture. Dessert wine to accompany with aged or blue cheeses, dark chocolate or dry pastries.
- Primitivo di Manduria Riserva DOC Elegia 2017: a Primitivo produced from grapes harvested by hand from 50-year-old vineyards grown as Apulian saplings located in the same area of Manduria. Ruby red in color with intense garnet reflections. The aroma is intense and complex, of ripe berries (cherry, raspberry, blackberry) and jam (plum). Perfect wine to pair with tasty first and second courses based on red meats. Also excellent with cured meats and semi-mature cheeses.