Description
The Squinzano PDO is reserved for the following typologies of wine: White, Red, Rosé, Spumante, Spumante Rosé and Novello. The Designation also incorporates numerous grape variety specifications.
Production Area
The production area of Squinzano PDO is within the entire territory of the municipalities of Squinzano, San Pietro Vernotico, Torchiarolo and Novoli and parts of the municipalities of Lecce, Campi Salentina, Cellino San Marco, Trepuzzi and Surbo in the Province of Lecce, in the Apulia region.
Blends
White, Spumante: min. 80% Chardonnay and/or Malvasia Bianca, pure or with grape berries similar in colour and originating from other grape varieties suitable for cultivation in the region, max. 20%, with the exclusion of Muscat. Red (incl. Riserva), Rosé, Spumante Rosé, Novello: min. 70% Negroamaro or Negro Amaro, with the possible addition of Malvasia Nera di Brindisi, Malvasia Nera di Lecce, Sangiovese and other grape berries similar in colour and originating from other grape varieties suitable for cultivation in the concerned area, max. 30%.
Description of product typologies
Squinzano PDO Bianco has a straw colour, at times with greenish highlights; the nose reveals fragrances of ripe peach and melon and fresh flowers; the palate displays sapid and fruity sensations, with intense notes of herbs and a delicate minerality. Squinzano PDO Rosso has an intense ruby-red colour that acquires orange hues with aging; the intense aromas of fruits of the forest on the nose are expressed with sensations of freshness and ripe pulp; the flavour of the pulp returns on the palate enriched with pepper, aromas of cocoa and spicy sensations. It can display Riserva on the label if the wine has been aged for a minimum period of 2 years, commencing November 10th of the year in which the grapes were produced. Squinzano PDO Rosé varies from pale ruby-red to cherry-pink in colour; the nose offers delicate traces of fruits of the forest and wild flowers; notes of sweet freshness dominate the palate, due to the evident fruitiness that is highlighted by a hint of sapidity. Squinzano PDO Spumante is characterised by its straw-yellow colour and fine perlage; the nose is delicately fruity with hints of yeast; it is fresh, harmonious and sapid on the palate, with an evident acid backbone. Squinzano PDO Spumante Rosé varies from smooth to intense pink in colour and has a fine and persistent perlage; it offers delicate fragrances of fresh red fruit and bread crust on the nose; the palate is fresh and harmonious with good acidity and an intense finish. Squinzano PDO Novello has an intense ruby-red colour; the nose is persistent, rich with red fruit and pleasantly vinous; it is lively, harmonious and pleasantly acidulous on the palate. Traditional vinification methods must be used for the transformation of grapes destined for the production of Squinzano PDO Rosé wine, which, in particular, involves the static draining of the pressed grapes after a period of maceration lasting for between 12-24 hours; the practice of “reassembly” is permitted in order to ensure the desired color tone for the wine. Squinzano PDO Spumante wines, including those with specification of grape variety, are obtained from the gasification of corresponding still wines through natural secondary fermentation in bottles or autoclaves; the addition of any kind of carbon dioxide is not permitted. Squinzano PDO Spumante wines can be produced in typologies ranging from extra-brut to extra-dry.
Grape variety specifications
The Squinzano PDO may display the specifications of the following grape varieties. From white grape varieties (incl. Spumante): min. 90% Chardonnay, Malvasia Bianca, Fiano, Sauvignon, pure or with the addition of grape berries similar in colour and originating from other grape varieties suitable for cultivation in the concerned area, max. 10%, with the exclusion of Muscat. From red grape varieties: min. 85% Negroamaro or Negro Amaro (including Rosé, Spumante Rosé, Riserva), Susumaniello, pure or with the addition of grape berries similar in colour and originating from other grape varieties suitable for cultivation in the concerned area, max. 15%. The characteristics of the colour, fragrances and flavour of each specification are those typical of the grape variety and terroir of origin. Squinzano PDO Negroamaro Riserva wines must be aged for a minimum period of two years, commencing November 10th of the year in which the grapes were produced.
