Primitivo

Primitivo is a dark-skinned grape known for producing inky, tannic wines, particularly Primitivo di Manduria and its naturally sweet Dolce Naturale variant. A classic Primitivo wine is high in both alcohol and tannins, intensely flavored and deeply colored. In Manduria, the fortified liquoroso variants often reach an ABV of 18%, which is dulled to 14% in the table wines. A certain bitterness is often found in Primitivo which, combined with its mouth-puckering tannins, means that it needs a few years in either bottle or barrel.

Synonyms include: Zinfandel, Crljenak Kastelanski, Pribidrag, Tribidrag, Kratosija.

Food matches for Primitivo include:

• Puglian spit-roasted lamb
• Beetroot curry (thel-dala)
• Wine-stewed lentils with smoked bacon