Negroamaro

TL; DR

Dark-coloured Italian red grape that makes sexy, plush red wines even in the hottest summers

So, what is Negroamaro all about?--red

One of the heroic red grapes of Puglia, down in the boot of Italy, Negroamaro is famous for making generously proportioned, blackberry-laden and just slightly pithy red wines and the odd delicious rosé.

Where did Negroamaro come from?--earth

Negroamaro is still grown in the area where it is still from - Puglia, in southern Italy.

Who's famous for Negroamaro?--racy

The eastern side of the Salento Peninsula in Puglia is Negroamaro ground zero, where the old bush vines make the best wines. Theoretically, the finest grapes also come from very close to the water, as the Mediterranean gives cooler nights (that enhances the luscious black flavours). So look for the wines almost touching the sea, and voila! Negoamaro goodness! Sure, Negroamaro doesn’t stray far from its Italian home, but there’s a smattering of the grape planted in Australia & California, where winemakers in the warmer regions love its heat and drought-resistant ways.

What does Negroamaro taste like?--aromatic

Black jelly beans is perhaps the best flavour descriptor for Negroamaro, but all the black fruit family can be found in the wines (like blackberry jam and blackcurrant. Hello Ribena). You might also see a sprinkle of dried herbs, a little dried plum, and cooked plum in the ripest wines, which are typically very savoury. Also, while Negroamaro can be rustic and tannic, it usually’s more about generous flavour, with the top wines rather plush and rich rather than drying. We especially like Negroamaro wines when they’re young and overflowing with dark fruit fun.

How is Negroamaro made?--cellar

With ample natural colour, Negroamaro doesn’t need years in oak or weeks of skin contact to give it depth. Instead, the wines are usually made to accentuate the plushness, with some time in oak (but not too much as it hides the berry goodness) and sometimes blended with other grapes that offer more tannin and structure (like Primitivo aka Zinfandel). Keep eyes peeled for some ripper Negroamaro-based rosé too (although if you’re in Italy, it’s rosato, and don’t call it rosé or the Italians get shorty), typically with a darker colour and plenty of savoury style.

What are the different Negroamaro styles?--lemon

Dark, plush, medium to full-bodied reds are the main style. Also, savoury, dry, medium-bodied and reddish-coloured rosé. Did we mention that Negroamaro has great colour?

What foods pair with Negroamaro?--plum

With all that black fruit, you can’t go wrong with meaty red sauce pasta. Orecchiette is the Puglian pasta specialty and is served with a rich meaty sauce; it can’t be denied. Slow-cooked meats generally work well with Negroamaro, as do hearty lentil and bean dishes.

Recipes to pair with Negroamaro--pizza

1. Wild Boar Ragu
2. Pulled Jerk Pork
3. Lentil and Almond Stew
4. Steak with Pesto and Polenta

Fun fact about Negroamaro--eggplant

The name itself is a dead giveaway about this alluring grape - negro, in a nod to the black-coloured berries and amaro, which is Italian for bitter. The best Negroamaro wines aren’t bitter, though - they’re rather velvety, with just enough tannins to give the wines some backbone.

If you like this, you should also give these grapes a guzzle...--wines

Sangiovese, Grenache, Nero d’Avola

About the Author:

Andrew Graham is a master winemaker and viticulturist (aka a grape guy) who fell into the wine industry as a teenager and never looked back! Voted the 23rd most trusted wine critic on the planet, Andrew judges at wine shows across the globe and runs foolishly long ultramarathons in his spare time (swiftly followed by a recuperative glass of wine or a frosty beer).