Brindisino

The area of Brindisi and its surroundings appears to have been an important center of wine production in Puglia since ancient times.

Brindisi in Roman times was a Latin colony and the most important center for the production of oil and wine amphorae in the whole of Puglia. Evidence of this is the discovery of ancient Roman furnaces for the production of amphorae in the archaeological area of Giancola. Remains of the same amphorae, dated II sec. A.C., have also been found in several countries of the Mediterranean basin, showing that the importation of wine and oil from the Salento was very widespread already in that era.

The native vines of Salento in the Brindisi area are: Negroamaro, Malvasia Nera di Brindisi, Primitivo, Aleatico, Susumaniello, Malvasia Bianca, Ottavianello.

Among the most important vines of the area is certainly the Susumaniello.

The name “Susumaniello” derives from “asinello” and refers to the memory of the donkey that passed between the rows of vines carrying the large baskets loaded with grapes. Moreover, this type of vine has the characteristic of having a blend that is loaded with many fruits in its youthful period, still remembering the pack-donkey loaded with baskets full of grapes.

Susumaniello is a very important grape variety because it is in danger of extinction. Today it is present only in this area thanks to a recovery project of this variety and it is used to produce very large rosé wines and red wines that are highly appreciated internationally.