Primitivo di Manduria: Full-bodied for the holidays

Primitivo di Manduria is a dry full-bodied red wine from Puglia, Italy. It’s the only viticultural area in Italy to specialize in the variety.Primitivo earned its name because it ripens early in the season.Naturally dark-skinned grapes produce inky,& wines of intense flavor, and dramatic color.The& terroir of southern Puglia is hot, dry, and consisting of plains sloping down to the sea.Cosimo Varvaglione Collezione Privata Primitivo di Manduria from Varvaglione is a dense purplish red color and an almost black core.The bouquet is dominated by ripe blackberries, currants, and preserved sour cherries.Aromatics of dried prunes, toasted oak, vanilla, shaved pencil lead, and medium acidity.Pair with eggplant dishes, sloppy Joe, venison, corn beef with cabbage, Italian steak sandwiches, and rich dark chocolate.Zinfandel is a grape primarily grown in California. Primitivo is a grape primarily grown in Italy. Primitivo and Zinfandel are very similar genetically, they are in fact siblings deriving from the Croatian Tribidrag varietal.These wines are extremely similar, which is why Primitivo and Zinfandel were considered synonyms. Many wine professionals still believe they are too close to distinguish. Wineries that produce both will typically defend the unique characteristics of each varietal.The grapes from Varvaglione Collezione come from old vines that grow...