The Italy Wine Project

Regions / Puglia

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Squinzano DOC

A Negroamaro DOC wedged between Salice Salentino and Brindisi with the same grapes and a nearly identical style, which is exactly why so few producers bother with the name. The rosso is deep ruby, warm and generous, black plum, dried cherry, tobacco, carob and bitter chocolate, medium tannin, 13.5 to 14.5% alcohol, with riservas adding leather and dried fig after two years. Cantine Santa Barbara has been the flag carrier and the wines are cheap for what they deliver.

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Bottles I'm chasing

ProducerWinePriceBuy
Cantine Santa Barbara
Squinzano Rosso Riserva
The classic from San Pietro Vernotico, Negroamaro and Malvasia Nera aged two years, dried plum, tobacco and bitter almond.
$12 to $18Wine-Searcher
Mocavero
Squinzano Rosso
Family estate in Arnesano, richer and fruitier with blackberry and cocoa; sporadic US listings.
$12 to $16Wine-Searcher
Cantine Santa Barbara
Squinzano Rosato
Deep coral Negroamaro rosato, cherry and pomegranate, dry and savory, an alternative way to tick the DOC.
$10 to $14Wine-Searcher