2024 Riporta Small Batch Salento Zinfandel IGP, Puglia

Puglia’s sun drenched vineyards are perfectly suited to rich, generous reds, and Riporta’s Small Batch Salento Zinfandel captures the region’s easy charm and warmth beautifully. In southern Italy, Primitivo shares its roots with California’s Zinfandel, though here the style often carries a little more savoury spice and Mediterranean character. Sourced from vineyards influenced by warm days and cooling sea breezes, this is a red built for pleasure rather than ceremony.

The 2024 vintage is plush, juicy and full of ripe dark fruit. Blackberry, plum jam and black cherry spill from the glass alongside hints of sweet spice, vanilla and dark chocolate. There is a soft, velvety texture that makes the wine immediately appealing, though enough freshness remains underneath to stop it becoming heavy or overly sweet. Subtle earthy notes and a touch of dried herbs on the finish bring a distinctly southern Italian feel to the wine.

This is made for hearty food and lively tables. Slow cooked beef ragu, smoky barbecue ribs or wood fired pizza with spicy salami would all be excellent matches. It also works brilliantly with burgers, grilled sausages or a late night bowl of pasta loaded with tomato and pecorino. Slightly cool the bottle on a warm evening and it becomes incredibly easy to drink, the kind of red that tends to disappear before anyone notices how quickly the level dropped.