Food Matching: A very powerful wine, it stands up well to very mature, strongly flavoured cheeses, dry pastries, almond and chestnut paste and roasted almonds.

Vineyard: The climate is Mediterranean with low rainfall, ranging between 300 and 700 mm annually. Ripening takes place slowly due to the striking contrast between day and night-time temperatures, resulting in a strong development of aromas, richness and concentration. Soils are for the most part calcareous, though also clay, medium rich and of various compositions (generally low in fertility). Mainly even countryside at elevations between 40 and 80 metres above sea level. Training system used is the Alberello Pugliese (low, densely planted bush-like vines without supporting wires) for local varieties, spur pruned wire frame training for international varieties. Vine density: Approx. 4,500 per hectare.

Vinification: The crushed grapes are macerated at a controlled temperature. Fermentation is interrupted by repeated racking to remove the yeasts and the wine is subsequently matured in barrels.