Wine With Wanda

A Fairy Tale in Puglia: The Wines of Castello Monaci Capture the Imagination

 Castello Monaci's stunning-as-a-storybook estate is housed in a 16th century castle, with medieval foundations, once run by monks who maintained a long winemaking tradition. 
image courtesy of Castello Monaci and Frederick Wildman & Sons Importers

Growing up, I devoured all of the classic fairy tales and daydreamed about leaving behind the mean streets of Manhattan for a beautiful castle abroad. My grown-up daydreams are slightly more pragmatic but now they also include a vineyard! Maybe a castle of my own, with endless rows of grapevines, is still out of reach but a bottle of Castello Monaci wine transports me to their stunning 16th century castle in the Salento region of Puglia. Surrounded by 350 acres of vineyards, Castello Monaci not only attracts wine lovers but also couples looking to create their own fairytales --  it is one of southern Italy's most popular wedding
venues.  


image courtesy of Castello Monaci and Frederick Wildman & Sons Importers
Castello Monaci Brand Ambassador Luigi Seracca Guerrieri plays an important role in his family's winemaking legacy.

Every fairy tale requires a prince and I've assigned that role to Luigi Seracca Guerrieri, Brand Ambassador for Castello Monaci. To my knowledge, charming Luigi isn't technically royalty but his family has owned the estate since the 19th century. Trained as a lawyer, Luigi opted to follow his passion for wine and pursued formal training in viticulture to supplement the knowledge he had gained from a lifetime of assisting his father, Vitantonio, in the vineyards. 


Castello Monaci is one of the few estates in Puglia to be certified sustainable. The castle is also surrounded by 3,000 olive trees. 
image courtesy of Castello Monaci and Frederick Wildman & Sons Importers

Luigi was recently in NYC and we met over lunch to taste through the current vintages of Castello Monaci wines. Their red wines are crafted from the indigenous Puglian grapes Negroamaro, Primitivo, and Malvasia Nera. Although the vineyards are in the sunniest and southernmost part of Puglia, the vines benefit from the cooling maritime breezes of the Ionian and Adriatic seas. Red wines from Puglia often have a reputation for being too big and unwieldy, but Castello Monaci's location produces grapes that balance richness with freshness. The reds retain a classic Puglian boldness but are also impressively graceful and vibrant. White grapes, Verdeca and Fiano, are planted on their 150 acres near the Adriatic coast. 

Castelli Monaci "Acante" Fiano Salento 2016 ($16)
Fiano is closely associated with Italy's Campania region but Castello Monaci's expression shows that Puglia can produce a pretty compelling Fiano. Refreshing and crisp with vibrant fruit, minerality, and a hint of nuttiness that adds balance and nuance. 

Castello Monaci "Petraluce" Verdeca Salento 2017 ($15)
 Summertime is the perfect season for exploring new wines, so add Petraluce to your must-sip list! This was my first encounter with Puglia's indigenous Verdeca grape and it won't be the last. Glimmering in the glass like Puglian sunshine, the name Petraluce is inspired by the light-colored stones that dot the vineyard and reflect the sun. Fresh, fruity, and crisp with a hint of tropical fruits and soft splashes of salinity that evoke the sea; Petraluce and summer are a perfect pair. 

Castello Monaci "Kreos" Rosé Negroamaro Salento 2017 ($14) 
Darlings, we're not in Provence anymore -- this bright pink rosé with the Greek inspired name is absolutely Puglian! While many regions are imitating the pale pink hue of Provencal rosé wines, Kreos is unabashedly and authentically vivid. Negroamaro is a bold grape but this rosè shows off its more delicate side. Fun and fruity with fresh red berry flavors and a kiss of spice. 

Castello Monaci "Pilùna" Primitivo 2016 ($15)
Primitivo is Puglia's most famous indigenous grape and it can produce powerhouse wines with tremendous aging potential. Sultry and spicy, Pilùna is a young Primitivo that displays all of the grape's best qualities; rich & dark fruit, and peppery spice. Pilùna has minimal oak influence so it boasts an impressive freshness that really captures the essence of the grape and terroir.



Castello Monaci "Aiace" Salice Salentino Riserva DOC 2014 ($26)
Bold, velvety, and rich like the voice of Pavarotti, this voluptuous blend of mostly Negroamaro (80%) and Malvasia Nera (20%) is impeccably balanced. Fruit, earth, and spice in perfect harmony. 



Castello Monaci "Artas" Primitivo Salento 2015 ($39)
There's nothing shy about this come-hither red that beautifully unleashes the full power and complexity of Primitivo. Ripe and juicy but not jammy, Artas takes your palate on a journey of luscious dark fruit, peppery spice, licorice, and savory herbs.  With impressively taut tannins, vibrant acidity, and a dramatically long finish; this princely Primitivo will sweep you off your feet. 


image courtesy of Castello Monaci and Frederick Wildman & Sons Importers

If you're planning a trip to Puglia, Castello Monaci welcomes guests for tours and wine tastings. And if your daydreams include a fairytale wedding in Italy, they can make your wish come true! Visit their website for more information. 

Passionate Puglia: The Captivating People and Wines of Tenute Rubino

 

Luigi Rubino has a close connection to the vineyards of his family's winery, Tenute Rubino, in Puglia.

Life in sun-soaked Puglia moves at a sensual and soul-affirming pace. Located in the south of Italy, Puglia is often deemed "the heel of the boot" that describes Italy's topographical shape. Whether it is a sexy designer boot or a functional work shoe, let's not forget that it is the heel that provides strength and balance. Strength and balance also describe the superb Puglian wines of Tenute Rubino.

The Tenute Rubino dream team - winemaker Luca Petrelli and power couple Romina Leopardi & Luigi Rubino. 

Truly a family affair, the Tenute Rubino story began in the 1980's when Tommaso Rubino's belief in the Salento region of Puglia to produce exceptional wines led him on a journey that culminated in the acquisition of four estates. In 1999, Tommaso's vision became reality when his son Luigi, and Luigi's wife Romina Leopardi, started the Tenute Rubino brand. Headquartered in Brindisi, Tenute Rubino is not just respected locally but is a global brand that exports more than 70% of its 1.2 million bottles of wine abroad.

Tenute Rubino is a leader in producing quality wines from the native Puglian grapes Negroamaro, Primitivo, and Susumaniello. 

Grapes are expertly picked with care and accuracy during the Women's Harvest at Tenute Rubino's estate in Jaddico, on the shores of the Adriatic Sea. 

Yes, Tenute Rubino's production numbers are impressive but after spending time with Luigi and Romina, I was most captivated by their passion for producing exceptional wines from native Puglian grapes, commitment to honoring the culture and people of Puglia, and their loving and collaborative partnership. My September visit coincided with Tenute Rubino's 10th annual La Vendemmia delle Donne (Women's Harvest), a celebration of Puglia's rich winemaking tradition and the dynamic women of Tenute Rubino.


Tenute Rubino's Women's Harvest is a multi-generational celebration of Puglian culture and viticulture. 

On the day of the Women's Harvest, a team of professional women harvesters work together alongside novices to hand pick the Susumaniello grapes - a local and ancient Puglian red wine grape that is a star of the Tenute Rubino portfolio. After the harvest, the women are serenaded by musicians performing traditional Puglian songs and everyone gathers together to sing, dance, play games, eat local cuisine, and sip plenty of Tenute Rubino wines. I highly recommend adding a trip to Puglia and Tenute Rubino's Women's Harvest celebration to your travel wish list. Until then, let their widely available wines add a touch of sensual Puglian sunshine to your day, no matter where you are. 

Tenute Rubino "Giancóla" Malvasia Bianca 2016 ($12)
Produced from 100% Malvasia Bianca grapes, this elegant and aromatic white wine balances luscious ripe fruit flavors with vibrant acidity and a touch of minerality. A great match with seafood. 



Tenute Rubino "Saturnino" Negroamaro Rosato 2016 ($12)
Rosé all day the Puglian way with this charming rosato wine made from 100% Negroamaro grapes. One of Puglia's most important wine grapes, Negroamaro is renowned for producing big and complex full-bodied red wines. Saturnino shows off the softer side of Negroamaro in this intensely fruity rosé with flavors of fresh cherry and violets that are bolstered by lively acidity and tinges of minerality. Saturnino paired perfectly with this platter of local cured meats and cheeses from Tenute Rubino's charming waterfront enoteca in Brindisi, Numero Primo. 

Tenute Rubino "Marmorelle" Rosso ($18)
Mostly Negroamaro with a kiss of Malvasia Nera, this artful red wine beautifully intertwines deep rich fruit flavors with touches of spice and cocoa. A great match with meat and tomato-based pasta dishes. 



Tenute Rubino "Punta Aquila" ($17)
Of course, you can't talk about Puglian wine without discussing the region's most famous vino - big, spicy, and bold Primitivo. Sometimes Primitivo sacrifices finesse for power but Punta Aquila balances strength with grace. A wine with plenty of personality, Punta Aquila is an elegant tapestry of rich fruit, spice, and herbal flavors. 

Tenute Rubino "Torre Testa" Susumaniello 2013 ($45)
The melodically named Susumaniello was brand new to me but it is actually an ancient grape from the Brindisi region and Tenute Rubino is leading the way in introducing its charms to the world. Traditionally used as a blending grape, Tenute Rubino has proven that Susumaniello has what it takes to stand on its own. An intriguing melange of ripe fruit, savory spice, fine tannins, and robust acidity, Torre Testa opens up beautifully in the glass and displays tremendous aging potential - a really special wine. 


Even I joined in a bit of harvesting during La Vendemmia delle Donne! 

The best wines aren't just well-crafted but are the catalyst for an emotional response. From now on, any sip of a Tenute Rubino wine will transport me back to those beautiful sunny days in Puglia; dancing, singing, and living life to the fullest. Even if you've never visited Puglia, Tenute Rubino's beautiful wines evoke the passion of this very special place.