Copertino is a town in the Salento, in the province of Lecce, on the plain that runs down from the interior towards the Ionian Sea. Here Negroamaro, the emblematic grape of the Salento peninsula, gives red and rosé wines of great character. The appellation, recognised in 1976, covers the whole of the municipalities of Copertino, Carmiano, Arnesano and Monteroni, and parts of Galatina and Lequile. Vineyards cover about 76 hectares, with an output of 6,220 hectolitres.
The rules
The regulations require at least 70% Negroamaro. The rest may come from Malvasia Nera, Montepulciano and Sangiovese, with Sangiovese at most 15%. Minimum alcohol is 12%. The styles are Rosso, Rosato and Riserva; the latter ages for at least two years and cannot be released before 1 November of the second year after the harvest.
In the glass
Copertino Rosso is deep ruby with garnet glints, with aromas of plum, blackberry, cherry in spirit, tobacco and Mediterranean scrub, and the slightly bitter finish from which, according to one theory, Negroamaro takes its name. The tannins are soft, the body full. With time the Riserva develops notes of leather, spice and cocoa.
Rosato is an old tradition in the Salento, a land of great Negroamaro rosés: a cherry-pink colour, aromas of red fruit and flowers, freshness and savouriness.
At the table
The Rosso goes with Salento cooking: ciceri e tria, orecchiette with meat sauce, involtini, grilled meat and aged cheeses such as canestrato. The Rosato suits fried fish, pittule fritters, tomato sauces and oily fish. Further north in Puglia, the Valle d'Itria offers fresh whites and other reds from Negroamaro and Primitivo.
