Primitivo di Manduria passito "Pezza della Chiesa" Vinicola Cicella

The Primitivo di Manduria passito "Pezza dalla Chiesa" is a red wine of great character, a delicious speciality of the Vinicola Cicella winery: a unique version, made in a single vintage and available in a 50cl bottle. Made from late-harvested, selected grapes dried on the vine and sourced from the oldest vineyards on the estate, “Pezza dalla Chiesa” is an unmistakable and true expression of the Primitivo grape, revealing the full potential that can be achieved through drying. On the nose it offers a rich bouquet of very ripe fruit with hints of jam. On the palate it reveals all its softness, given by the residual sugar that makes it smooth and easy to drink: a harmonious and seductive experience to share with friends in total relaxation.
The Primitivo bunches come from the estate’s oldest vineyards, with some vines over 60 years old, bush-trained (alberello), a form typical of the Puglia region. The plots face north, so they are cooler and receive fewer hours of sunshine during the day; the soil is medium-textured, containing sand, silt and clay in varying proportions. The grapes are harvested late, so as to achieve a degree of drying on the vine and a higher sugar content in the berries. 
In the winery, the grapes are first destemmed, a process that separates the stalks from the berries, and alcoholic fermentation then follows in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks, with the must left to macerate on the skins throughout the process. Drying causes a high concentration of sugars in the berries, which prevents the yeasts from converting them all into alcohol, leaving a small portion unchanged and unfermented. The result is a wine with a pleasant natural residual sweetness, which is then aged for 12 months in stainless steel tanks. 
The Primitivo del Salento “Pezza dalla Chiesa” has an intense red colour with purplish highlights; the palate is sweet and warm, with a soft entry followed by an intense aftertaste and a long finish. On the nose it shows notes of morello cherry and other red fruit preserves, and surprises on the finish with aromas of liquorice and cocoa.
We recommend pairing it with dry pastries or blue cheeses; it is also excellent enjoyed on its own.