Primitivo Rosato "Li Mareni" Vinicola Cicella

The Primitivo del Salento rosé “Li Mareni” from Vinicola Cicella is the rosé version of this famous grape variety native to Puglia. “Li Mareni” is made exclusively from Primitivo grapes, a variety that finds its finest expression here, between the municipalities of Torricella, Lizzano and Maruggio in south-western Puglia. A deeply coloured rosé with a vibrant, structured palate and elegant fruity aromas, offering sweet and satisfying sensations. 
The vineyards are spread across several plots, all close to the winery, with red soils that are rich in minerals and very free-draining, ideal for growing vines. Another decisive factor is the proximity of the sea, which shapes the local microclimate and allows fewer vineyard treatments, with greater respect for nature and health. The Primitivo vines are bush-trained (alberello), a traditional method in the region that yields quality fruit with moderate yields, in this case around 80 quintals per hectare.
The harvest takes place in the first ten days of September, when the grapes reach optimal ripeness. The wine is made using the saignée method, which is ideal for rosé wines: a portion of must is drawn off from a tank in which skin maceration for red wine production is under way. The must is drawn off within the first few hours of maceration, to avoid extracting too much colour from the skins. The resulting rosé must ferments in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks. Once alcoholic fermentation is complete, the Primitivo rosé ages for five months in stainless steel tanks before bottling.  “Li Mareni” is a deep pink wine with a fresh, crisp palate that coats the mouth with elegance and liveliness. On the nose it is fruity and harmonious, with notes of red fruit and Mediterranean herbs. It pairs beautifully with starters, pasta and rice dishes, white meats and fish dishes.