A Mano Primitivo Rosato, Puglia 2024

This is made made mainly from Primitivo grapes grown in the Salento peninsula - the warm and sunny heel of Italy. On arrival at the winery the grapes are crushed and pressed stright away keeping skin contact time down to a matter of a few seconds which gives the attractive pale colour while preserving all the fresh fruit flavours. The result is a wine bright pink in colour with a lively, youthful perfume of ripe strawberries and a touch of fresh mint. On the palate, it is surprisingly full-bodied with good structure. It's perfectly balanced with a delicate fruit character and zesty, lightly spiced finish.

It's a delicious rosé that is perfect all by itself. It'll also match up well with meaty fish like mackerel or tuna straight off the grill or barbie.

Californian Mark Shannon and his partner Elvezia Sbalchiero originally from northern Italy fell in love with the Primitivo grape found in the Puglian heel of Italy in the late 1990s and subsequently set about making their mark using what was, at the time, a somewhat neglected variety. They've since succeeded in making Primitivo one of Italy's most talked about grape varieties. They don't have extensive vineyards of their own but by focussing solely on quality, a modern winemaking style and by being prepared to pay top prices for the best old vine grapes, they have revolutionised the style and quality of Puglian Primitivo.