t appears that the variety from which the wine is principally made, Primitivo, got its name because of its tendency to ripen earlier than other types of vines. It is also believed to have been developed from a clone by one of the three groups of peoples who settled in the coastal zone of the Salento along the Ionian Sea. That area was first colonized by the Messapians, then the Phoenicians and finally the Greeks. Afterward and particularly in the Middle Ages with the diffusion of settlements encouraged by Basilian hermits of Greek origin, the variety spread through the Murge Mountains in the provinces of Bari and Taranto.
It is known, from authoritative historical documents, that the variety was intensively cultivated in a vast stretch of Apulian territory in the 17th century as a result of the work of the Benedictines. But it was at Gioia del Colle, above all, that the monks found the most favorable conditions for growing that generous variety. Primitivo became so popular that it was introduced into the province of Taranto toward the close of the 19th century.
The variety yields a wine of fine quality that has a high alcohol content and a highly special aroma. Because of those characteristics, it is also known by the local dialectical name "Mirr Test", meaning "hard wine." That descriptive term refers to the wine's big body.
Wines are still extensively made from the variety, not only in the Primitivo di Manduria production zone but also throughout the Taranto and Bari districts and the provinces of Lecce and Brindisi.
Consorzio Tutela Primitivo di Manduria Doc
Via Donno Ferdinando, 7
74024 Manduria (TA)
ITALY
phone: (+39) 099/9796696
This page was written by Stefano Milioni. Background image and most photos in this section courtesy of Giuliano Bugialli, all right reserved (see Copyright and Credits).
t appears that the variety from which the wine is principally made, Primitivo, got its name because of its tendency to ripen earlier than other types of vines. It is also believed to have been developed from a clone by one of the three groups of peoples who settled in the coastal zone of the Salento along the Ionian Sea. That area was first colonized by the Messapians, then the Phoenicians and finally the Greeks. Afterward and particularly in the Middle Ages with the diffusion of settlements encouraged by Basilian hermits of Greek origin, the variety spread through the Murge Mountains in the provinces of Bari and Taranto.