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Negroamaro grape

Red grape

Negroamaro is a red grape known for black cherry, plum, earth. Its best-known homes are Puglia.

StyleRed
Body●●●●○ (4/5)
FlavoursBlack cherry, plum, earth
Key regionsPuglia

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

Puglia

Negroamaro wines to try

Real bottles from The Wine Library.

Rosé · Italy

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

MerlotTempranilloNebbioloMontepulcianoNero d'AvolaLagreinTeroldegoGaglioppo

Explore all grapes in the interactive guide

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