What kind of wine is Salento Negroamaro IGT 'Masseria Maìme' 2022 - Tormaresca?

The Salento Negroamaro IGT 'Masseria Maìme' 2022 - Tormaresca is a red wine of great personality, an authentic expression of the Apulian territory. Made with 100% Negroamaro grapes from the vineyards surrounding the historic Masseria Maìme, this wine represents one of the most distinctive projects of the Tormaresca winery, part of the Antinori group. It is a structured, elegant, and harmonious red, capable of combining body and finesse in a balance that tells the warm and sunny soul of Salento.

Vintage details

The 2022 vintage was characterized by balanced weather conditions: mild winters and a long, breezy summer favored a slow and regular ripening of the grapes. Sunny days, combined with good nocturnal temperature excursions, allowed for perfectly ripe, concentrated, and aromatic berries. The result is an intense, soft Negroamaro rich in fruity nuances, which maintains surprising freshness and a fine tannic texture.

Vinification and aging

The vinification of Salento Negroamaro IGT 'Masseria Maìme' 2022 - Tormaresca takes place with fermentation in stainless steel tanks, where the must remains in contact with the skins for about two weeks. This process, called maceration, allows for the balanced extraction of color, aromas, and tannins. Subsequently, the wine ages for about 12 months in French oak barriques, small wooden barrels that add complexity and roundness to the taste, without masking the character of the grape variety. This is followed by further aging in the bottle for at least one year before commercial release, to ensure an elegant and well-integrated aromatic profile.

Tasting notes

The Salento Negroamaro IGT 'Masseria Maìme' 2022 - Tormaresca stands out for its depth and a perfect balance between Mediterranean warmth and freshness.

Color

Visually, it presents a deep ruby red with violet reflections, dense and bright, a sign of the richness of the grape variety and its maturity.

Nose

The bouquet is ample and enveloping: notes of ripe red fruits like sour cherry and plum emerge, followed by nuances of sweet spices, vanilla, and light hints of cocoa and tobacco, imparted by the wood aging. An aroma that immediately recalls the warmth of the South and its aromatic intensity.

Palate

On the palate, it is full, harmonious, and velvety. The tannins, soft and well-integrated, support a solid yet pleasant structure. The freshness balances the alcoholic softness, while the long finish lingers on notes of ripe fruit and sweet spices. A generous and complex wine, yet at the same time balanced and smooth.

Pairing with Salento Negroamaro IGT 'Masseria Maìme' 2022 - Tormaresca

This Salento red is the ideal companion for rich and flavorful dishes from the Mediterranean tradition. The most successful pairings include:

• Grilled or oven-roasted red meats, such as steaks or roasted lamb
• Meat ragu and structured pasta dishes
• Aged cheeses and semi-hard pecorino cheeses
• Typical Apulian recipes, such as orecchiette with braciole sauce or bombette di carne

A wine that elegantly accompanies special evenings, thanks to its balance of power and finesse.

Storage and aging: how to store Salento Negroamaro IGT 'Masseria Maìme' 2022 - Tormaresca wine

To preserve its characteristics, it is advisable to store Salento Negroamaro IGT 'Masseria Maìme' 2022 - Tormaresca in a cool, dry place away from light, at a constant temperature between 14°C and 16°C. The bottle should be placed horizontally to keep the cork consistently moist and perfectly sealed. Thanks to its structure and complexity, this wine offers excellent aging potential: it can evolve further for 8–10 years, developing more complex notes and a pleasant softness over time. A safe investment for those who love elegant and long-lived red wines from Southern Italy.