Pale copper color; flowers, apple, peach on the nose; apple, apricot, orchard fruits, watermelon, grapefruit, strawberry on the palate.
Dry; medium body; bright acidity; refreshing. Fruity, balanced, creamy. Touch of citrus on the medium-length finish. Grapes went to press immediately after harvest, spend five hours on the skins at controlled temperature. Fermented in stainless steel; no oak. Some complexity and depth. Racy character. Substantial rosé, not a demure, blushing blush. 12.5% ABV
Negroamaro grape is native to Puglia, the wine region in the heel of the Italian boot. Negroamaro translates as “black bitter,” which is how the grape looks and tastes directly off the vine. The grape can make a meaty, earthy wine but takes on a different character when made as a rosé/rosato. Rounder, certainly tasty.
Li Veli is located in the Salento region, with the Adriatic Sea to the north and Ionian Sea to the south. In the first century BC, the land was inhabited by the Messapi, whose name signifies “people between two seas.” In the 7th century AD the “Limite dei greci” was built which represented the boundary between the Lombards to the north and Byzantium to the south.
The website notes the climate of the Salento region: “The climate of this area is ideal for the cultivation of the vine: the mild winter and hot and dry summer, the strong thermal excursion, with the cool night breezes mitigating the heat of the day, make this small peninsula the perfect place for the production of great wines.”
Masseria is Italian for “farmhouse.” Li Veli was built by the Marquis Antonio de Viti de Marco at the end of the 19th century. The facility declined until the Falvo family revived the operation beginning in 1999. The Falvos already had made a name in for themselves in Vino Nobile di Montepulciano around the town of Montepulciano and Vin Santo in Tuscany. The Falvos brought their imagination and expertise to the Puglia project. Today’s winery and vineyards have been owned by the brothers Edoardo and Alfredo Falvo since 2008. They were joined by a cousin, Alessandro, in 2018. The Puglia winery produces 350,000 bottles a year.
Masseria Li Veli Torrerose Negroamaro Rosato Salento IGT 2021 is tasty rosé that delivers some depth and complexity. Tastes similar to assertive Provence rosé. Lively, refreshing, elegant. Works as a “sip rosé all day” wine with enough going on to keep you interested. Pair with rich fish; fish risotto; sushi; shellfish; appetizers and snacks; works as an aperitif. Cheese—goat cheese; feta, halloumi, mozzarella, cheddar, baby swiss, burrata, humbolt fog. $16-20
