Negroamaro grape
Negroamaro is a red grape known for black cherry, plum, earth. Its best-known homes are Puglia.
Origin and history
Ancient grape of Puglia's Salento peninsula; the name is often read as 'black-bitter', though it may simply double the Latin and Greek words for black.
Where it grows
Salento in Puglia: Salice Salentino, Squinzano, Copertino, Brindisi, Leverano and Salento IGT, often blended with Malvasia Nera.
Structure
Medium to full body, deep colour, moderate acidity and firm but rounded tannins.
Aromas, young and aged
Young: black cherry, plum, tobacco, herbs and a bitter almond or earthy finish. With age: dried plum, leather and earth.
Ageing
Most best within 2–6 years; top Salice Salentino Riserva can age 10 years.
Also known as
Negro Amaro.
Good to know
Its rosato has a long history: Leone de Castris's Five Roses (1943) is considered Italy's first bottled rosé.
Wine regions for Negroamaro
Negroamaro wines to try
Real bottles from The Wine Library.
Leone de Castris Five Roses
Puglia · Salice Salentino · Negroamaro
Historic Puglian rosé: cherry, wild strawberry and a dry, fresh finish.
Food: Orecchiette, grilled vegetables, fish stew
Similar red grapes
Explore all grapes in the interactive guide
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