Torrevento Castel del Monte Vigna Pedale

An ancient Benedictine monastery carved into the harsh rock of the Murgia plateau is the heart of one of the best wineries in the new showcase of quality winegrowing in Apulia: Torrevento. Torrevento, in the shadow of Castel del Monte, the medieval fort built by Frederick II of Swabia with the same beautiful rocks from the surrounding area, has been working since 1920 on the development and recovery of native grapes in this tiny plot in Apulia, with unique and traditional care of the specific extraordinary terroir.

The landscape, dominated by limestone and tuffs, is enveloped in a dry Mediterranean summer and a stiff and petulant winter. The typical features of that harsh, inland Southern Italy find their way into supremely elegant and perfect wines, in which the intensity from perfectly rich and ripe grapes always imparts body and strength that significantly contribute to producing drinkable wines.

Torrevento casts a wide net, and this is perfectly reflected in the obsessive attention to the grapes of the territory and traditional winemaking, followed by very measured aging in oak and other wooden barrels, to accommodate the gentle power of the robust grape varieties of upper Puglia. The fundamentals for producing Nero di Troia, an incredibly sleek, delicious and versatile wine, are selection, reducing the yield and sustainable management of the vineyard.

Vigna Pedale is a wine which is immediately seductive with its deep colour and intense hints of claret. Delicious aromas of sweet spices, green pepper and dry flowers delight the nose, over a background of hints of prunes and tobacco. On drinking, its wonderfully wide aromatic range is confirmed in a pleasant all round mouth which is sure to convince. The wine has a well-defined body, just the right amount of tannins and a clear minerality. Notes of liquorice appear at the end to remind us of the spicy character of its nose. All in all, a complete wine.