Salento

The Protected Geographical Indication "Salento" includes three types of wine: White (also sparkling, "spumante", "uve stramature" and "Passito"), Red (also sparkling, "uva stramature", "Passito" and "Novello"), Rosé (also sparkling, "Spumante" and "Novello").

Grapes

Salento' PGIs must be obtained from vines suitable for cultivation in the provinces of Brindisi, Lecce and Taranto. The specification of the varieties indicated in the specification is reserved for wines obtained at least 85% from the corresponding variety. Up to a maximum of 15% of the wine produced may be made from similarly colored berry varieties suitable for cultivation in the provinces of Brindisi, Lecce and Taranto. The wines with the specification of the vine can also be produced in the types sparkling and sparkling white and raisin berry and new red berry.

Physicochemical and Organoleptic properties

The white wine (minimum total alcoholic strength by volume of 10.50% vol.) is a more or less intense straw yellow colour, with a pleasant and delicate aroma and a fresh taste, from dry to sweet. The Rosso type (12.00% vol.) has a ruby colour tending towards garnet, combined with a pleasant, characteristic aroma and a dry to sweet and harmonious flavour. The Rosé version (11.50% vol.), on the other hand, has a more or less intense pink colour, a characteristic fruity aroma and a dry to sweet, harmonious taste. For the specific characteristics of the sparkling, Novello, Uve stramature, Passito and Spumante types, see the indications contained in the specification. In case of specification of the vine, the organoleptic characteristics must respect those typical of the corresponding vine. 

Grape production area

The production area includes the Jonico Arch and the Salento Peninsula.

Specificity and historical notes

Viticulture in the area is characterised by a high degree of fragmentation, mainly due to the Land Reform which, in order to allow more families to derive their income, has meticulously divided the ownership of the vineyards.