While Puglia's strong red wines have always been appreciated and consumed locally, beyond the region's borders they were, in the past, considered only useful for pumping up the alcohol content of the wines of the north. Today this negative image has been completely overcome and the wines of Puglia win awards and admirers wherever they go. While rosè and white wine are also produced in Puglia, red wine reigns supreme for quality and popularity. The following are just a sampling of some of the best . . . As its name implies, the Primitivo di Manduria is produced primarily near the city of Manduria, in the province of Taranto. The grape vines in this area grow in a limestone and clay soil, often located next to the sand dunes along the Ionian Sea. The Primitivo grape matures early, in late August, but this doesn't make for a weaker wine, quite the opposite. A dry Primitivo wine has 14% alcohol and is delicious served with cold cuts, sharp cheese, pork dishes or meat based tomato sauces over a typical Puglian pasta such as orecchiette.

A sweet Primitivo wine has 16% alcohol and works well with both desserts and hard aged cheeses. “Nero” means “black” in Italian and refers to the intensely dark ruby red of this wine, a red so intense that it almost seems black. Typical of the area near the small city of Troia, in the province of Foggia, this wine can be traced back through history to the 13th century and the reign of the Swabian Emperor Federico II. This wine is described as being austere with a spicy and woody flavor, and hints of blackberries and licorice. Along with the Primitivo and the Nero di Troia, the Negroamaro grape is one of the chief varieties in Puglia, where it has been traced back to the 6th century B.C. This wine, like the other two previously mentioned, was for a long time used as a blending wine thanks to its excellent vigor and productivity. This wine has an intense garnet-red color, a winey and fruity scent in with gentle hints of blackberries and tobacco. It has a full, round flavor.

This is the most famous wine from the Salento area in Puglia's deep south, a land of long, sandy beaches and birthplace of the “magical” dance, the Tarantella. Its dark ruby red color is marked by purplish notes. Its intense scent includes touches of plums and cherries. It has a rich, well-structured flavor with a pleasantly bitter aftertaste and is an excellent companion to savory first courses, meats and cheeses. The Puglian Aglianico is produced in the provinces of Barletta-Andria-Trani and Bari. Its color varies from ruby red to garnet and it has a characteristically delicate winey scent. Its flavor is full, dry and harmonious. Ideally, it should be served at 16° C (61° F) with cold cuts, aged cheeses, pasta with meat sauce, poultry or baked rabbit.Spring is here and wine helps make the seasonal transition go more smoothly. Summer is beer season in Milwaukee, it’s true, but in spring, when the temps can fluctuate wildly, a nice glass of red wine can still warm the soul.

Here are four Italian reds I’ve tasted recently that are worth scouting at fine wine purveyors in Milwaukee... Castello di Albola Chianti Classico DOCG 2013 Retailing at about $18-20, this ruby red Chianti – 95 percent sangiovese and 5 percent canaiolo, hand-harvested, fermented on skins and aged in oak for 12 years – is playing above its price point, with an elegance you might expect from a costlier quaff. best wine of new zealandIt’s got hints of violet and a smooth and satisfying mouth feel. good wine from new zealandAs you start to fire up the grill for the season, pair this with a nice steak on the barbecue.best place to buy california wine online Codice Citra Carosso Montepulciano d’Abruzzo DOC Riserva 2010best wine to drink with italian food

One hundred percent Montepulciano undergoes a long maceration with the skins and spends some time in steel before aging in oak barrels and barriques. The result – which retails around $22 – is a deep red wine with garnet hues and a powerful nose with a hint of spice. Rich tannins, a blend of raspberry, cherry, spice and licorice, and a long, satisfying finish make this one a great pairing with rich meats or even with a nice tray of salumi before dinner.best wine bottle 2015 Villa Gemma Cerasuolo d’Abruzzo DOC 2014red wine cold sick Even though it's a rose – and therefore only red-ish – this is 100 percent Montepulciano, like the Carosso, and it has a powerful bouquet. best wines that age wellBut while you might consider aging the Carosso, this one, with its rich fruitiness and floral qualities, demands your attention now. best red wine sort

Drink it young and with darn near anything. Perfect with a cheese tray or a pizza, it’d work nicely with dessert, too. Kellerei Cantina S. Maddalena DOC Classico Huck am Bach 2015 Wine and Spirits rated this budget-friendly ($10-12) red wine from Italy’s German-speaking Alto Adige region a 90. It’s an easy, approachable, fruity wine with notes of cherries and almonds and medium body. box of wine selectionA light mix of schiava and lagrein grapes, serve this ruby red gem with pizza or red meat dishes or a tray of appetizers. Dispatched from and sold by Laithwaites Wine. See more product details Il Papavero Italian Red Wine - Laithwaite's Wine (Case of 12) What other items do customers buy after viewing this item? Il Papavero Italian Red Wine - Laithwaite's Wine (Case of 6) Special offers and product promotions Tell Us What You Think About This Wine Tried this wine and want to share your opinions on it?

Why not post a review below to help other customers make an informed buying choice. Find out more about posting a customer review. page featuring ratings from thousands of customers who have purchased and rated our most popular wines. Discover our full range of wines from around the world in the Wine Store. Storage InstructionsStore in cool dry place, away from light, at around 15-18C Use By RecommendationDrink by June 2016 Serving RecommendationWith nibbles, pasta and pizza Alcohol Content12.5 % Vol 40,987 in Grocery (See top 100) in Grocery > Beer, Wine & Spirits > Wine > Red Wine Date First Available31 Jan. 2011 If you are a seller for this product, would you like to suggest updates through seller support? Unless expressly indicated in the product description, Amazon.co.uk is not the manufacturer of the products sold on our website. While we work to ensure that product information on our website is correct, manufacturers may alter their product information.

Actual product packaging and materials may contain more and/or different information than shown on our website. You should always read the labels, warnings and instructions provided with the product before using or consuming it and not solely rely on the information presented on our website. If you have any specific product queries, please contact the manufacturer. This notice does not affect your legal rights. Il Papavero has been a chart topping customer favourite for years - a wine for all seasons; the silken Italian charmer with incomparable versatility. It's a great party red, perfect with nibbles, and partners pasta and pizza effortlessly. The value, too, is second to none. Papavero maestro Scipione Giuliani (pronounced 'Ship-ee-own-eh Ju-lee-arni'). 'Scipi' is a fifth generation winemaker and quintessential Italian gent. Every vintage, he selects only the ripest, most flavoursome grapes from the top performing regions to ensure Il Papavero is consistently delicious with soft, supple, red berry vibrancy.