In today’s video, I’ll cover two value-priced Italian red wines that deserve much more attention. The wines are ready to drink when released for sale, they have good availability, and are around $15 per bottle in the US. The wines can also be found in many international markets. The focus is on two specific wines from Puglia, in the far SE part of Italy.
The first wine up is the 2021 Marchese di Borgosole Salice Salentino Reserva. This example is made entirely from Negroamaro. Aged two years in older barrels. I picked up the wine at Total Wine for $13.99, which is before any discounts.
The wine has good depth of color at the core, with some fading at the edge of the glass, which is very typical of a wine of this sort.
First tried this wine years ago in the UK while I was studying for the MW exam. So many underappreciated wines in Italy, I’m still surprised this hasn’t gained more traction. The one in this video is the Reserva, and my suggestion is to pick it up versus the standard non-Reserva bottling. It’s typically just a few dollars more, but it’s cash well spent. Reserva spends more time in the barrel, the fruit is riper, providing wines with added weight and dimension.
Dark fruit, blackberry, slightly smoky, the fruit shows good ripeness, but it’s not jammy or stewed fruit like that can sometimes be found in warm regions. Shows a lot of personality.
Palate, plenty of weight without being heavy, dark fruit, savory, a bit smoky, moderate acidity, finish smooth, round character. Structure to age a few years, but it’s drinking well. Give it some aeration.
2021 is a strong vintage in southern Italy; the biggest challenge was labor shortages due to COVID.
Next is the 2024 Marchese di Borgosole Appassimento rosso made from grapes that are partially dried for about one month before fermentation. It results in a more concentrated wine with more weight on the palate. I picked it up at Total Wine, priced at $14.99 per bottle before any discount.
The overall color is deeper than the previous wine, both at the center core and extending to the edge of the glass.
#italy #italianwine #redwine #southernitaly #winetasting #winetalk #wineeducation #wineenthusiast #winelover #winelife #totalwine #bargain #masterofwine #bobpaulinski
CHAPTER MARKERS
00:00 – 00:59 Puglia Introduction
01:00 – 04:12 Salice Salentino
04:13 – 07:18 Appassimento
07:19 – 08:37 Wine Retaste
14 Comments
Such great options for any day drinking or cellar defenders.
Very informative, once again. Thanks Bob. These 2 wines are on my list for my next total wine trip.
Are you a fan of the wines from Puglia?
I have another one that Trader Joe's sells: Susumaniello Ruggero di Bardo. I am not a big fan of wines from Puglia as traditionally they were quite rough, but they got their act together 15 or so years ago. The Susumaniello sells for a ridiculous price (10 bucks) and tastes like a million bucks.
Thank you Bob!
Salice Salentino Riserva 2021 by Gran Guelfo has been my top discovery among Itallian red wines Last year.
Well made, it feels like Armani dress and good italian shoes.For 10 euros in Europe, it's great value.
Excellent wine choices! When I worked at TJ’s, they offered versions of both wines shown here. They were under $10. Interesting wines, but just very tight. I couldn’t get many customers interested in these wines because they weren’t Stella Rosa Rosso🤮
Excellent video. Southern Italian wines are the best value. Prices for wines from the Piedmont, and Tuscany are way out of line. Love Salice Salentino.
If you want to try Italian varietals that are produced in California and are some of my favorites, look no further than winery direct Caparone. They are located in Paso Robles. Club price including shipping runs about 20/bt. Aglianico, Sangiovese, and Nebbiolo. All outstanding. Also produced are Cab, Merlot, and Zinfandel. This is truly a boutique family operation. A very endanger species in California today. Not a bunch of phoney fanfare,
It’s a wine region that I keep telling myself to try… and forget to when I order my wines. But this is a reminder and an excuse to stop by total wine soon
Right up my alley! I'll have to check both of these out. As I stated in your question regarding favorite areas of Italy for wine, I love my Veronese from Allegrini which is a blend of Corvina, Corvinone, Rondinella, and Sangiovese grapes, with a portion dried in the appassimento style that sounds similar to the Rosso with a portion of the grapes being dried for about a month.
Excellent timing on this video Bob! We are in Puglia now just arrived in Lecce after a couple days in Bari and some time in Taurasi drinking Aglianico. Enjoying much Negroamaro along with Primotivo and other less common grapes of southern Italy. Been a fan of Salice Salentino for several years and great to see you highlighting it! 🍷🙂
Do you think the 2020 is as good? Speaking of the Marchese Di Borgosole Salice Salentino Riserva… it’s the one my total wine has for $13.99
Thanks for another great video. I really appreciate you highlighting budget friendly bottles. Thanks.
I have never understood why some of these Southern Italian reds have not become more popular in the US? I believe they sell quite well in Scandinavia. Considering the climate there, they may favour more full-bodied wines. Another grape that doesn't get the respect that it deserves would be Gaglioppo from Calabria. Both wines are enjoyable and consistently good for not much money. Interestingly, Negroamaro from here and Xinomavro from Northern Greece translate to approximately the same though stylistically different.