Established only recently, in 2011, the Negroamaro di Terra D’Otranto DOP celebrates the indissoluble relationship between Negroamaro and the Salento, embracing as it does the entire peninsula as its production area, including the provinces of Taranto, Brindisi, and Lecce, and requiring a minimum use of 90% Negroamaro. The Salentine peninsula constitutes a fairly complex topography, with an alternation of near-level surfaces in the areas around Lecce and Brindisi and limestone hillocks (the serre salentine). Being open to the sea, it has a moister climate compared with the rest of Puglia, where the Apennine chain reduces the moisture of winds coming from the west. The soils are primarily deep clay-loam, which become shallower and sandier proceeding south along the coastline. The rosé may be made in the semi-sparkling (frizzante) or full sparkling (spumante) style, while the red may be designated Riserva after 24 months’ maturation. Finally, the name of the vineyard may be listed on the label.

Categories: Rosso (red), Rosato (rosé), Riserva (reserve), Spumante (sparkling), Frizzante (semi-sparkling).