What kind of wine is Salento Primitivo 'Rifugio' 2023 - Conti Zecca

The Salento Primitivo 'Rifugio' 2023 - Conti Zecca is an intense and enveloping red wine, an authentic expression of the Salento territory. It is made from 100% Primitivo grapes, an indigenous Apulian varietal known for its generosity and ability to produce rich, warm, and velvety wines. It belongs to the Salento IGT appellation, one of the most representative of southern Puglia, and brings to the glass all the character of the Mediterranean climate and the clay-limestone soils from which it originates.

The Conti Zecca winery, a historic wine estate in Salento, employs all its expertise to enhance the qualities of this varietal, with an approach that combines tradition and innovation, and a constant focus on sustainability.

Vintage Details

The 2023 vintage was characterized by balanced climatic conditions, with warm but not excessive temperatures and well-distributed rainfall, ensuring optimal ripening of the Primitivo grapes. The bunches achieved a perfect balance between sugars, acidity, and tannin, providing an ideal raw material for obtaining a structured yet harmonious wine.

Winemaking and Aging

After manual harvesting, the grapes are destemmed and subjected to controlled fermentation, which takes place at moderate temperatures to preserve the varietal aromas. Maceration on the skins – the contact between the must and the solid parts of the grape – lasts several days, promoting the extraction of color and tannic softness. The wine then rests in oak barrels for about 12 months, followed by further aging in resin-lined concrete tanks, a choice that ensures balance and harmony between freshness and complexity.

Tasting Notes

The Salento Primitivo 'Rifugio' 2023 - Conti Zecca is a wine that captivates with its intensity and the balance between power and softness. Its main characteristics are detailed below.

Color

Visually, it presents a deep ruby red with slight purplish reflections, a sign of its youth and vibrancy.

Nose

On the nose, it offers a rich and warm bouquet: notes of ripe red fruits, such as plum and cherry, are immediately recognizable, accompanied by hints of sweet spices, vanilla, and slight toasted nuances due to aging in wood.

Palate

In the mouth, it is soft, full, and enveloping. The structure is ample but well-balanced by fine and polished tannins. The persistence is long, with a finish that echoes the fruity and spicy sensations already perceived on the nose.

Food Pairings for Salento Primitivo 'Rifugio' 2023 - Conti Zecca

Thanks to its decisive personality and good alcoholic content, this wine is perfect for accompanying savory and flavorful dishes. It pairs excellently with:

• Grilled or stewed red meats
• Game ragout or wild boar ragout
• Aged cheeses, such as Pecorino or Caciocavallo
• Traditional Apulian dishes, such as orecchiette with sauce or meat bombette

It is also ideal as a meditation wine, to be enjoyed slowly on quieter evenings.

Storage and Aging: How to Store Salento Primitivo 'Rifugio' 2023 - Conti Zecca Wine

To best preserve the quality of the Salento Primitivo 'Rifugio' 2023 - Conti Zecca, it is advisable to store it in a cool, dark place free from temperature fluctuations, at a constant temperature of around 14-16°C. The bottles should be kept horizontally, so that the cork remains moist and maintains proper insulation from the air.

Although already perfectly enjoyable today for its freshness and roundness, it can be stored in the cellar for another 4-6 years, during which it will develop further notes of complexity and softness, fully enhancing the typical character of Salento Primitivo.