Salice Salentino DOC

The origin of the DOC denomination of Salice Salentino is to be attributed to some historical producers present in the DOC Salice Salentino area who were already producing red and rosé wines based on Negroamaro (Negro Amaro) and Malvasia Nera in the 1930s. In 1976, thanks also to the affirmation of these wines on national and international markets, the designation of Origin Salice Salentino was established.
The name of this wine derives from the homonymous town located north of Lecce, an area of ​​vineyards and olive groves, where there are scattered farms and ancient lookout towers. The Negromaro is of remote introduction, the crops of the southern area of ​​Puglia in fact, since the sixth century BC, were almost exclusively characterized by this vine.
In fact, the Negro Amaro vine finds its main wine growing area in the provinces of Brindisi and Lecce where today it represents about 72% of the vineyard area.
The millenary winemaking history of the region, from Magna Grecia, to the Middle Ages, up to the present day, attested by numerous documents, is the fundamental proof of the close connection and interaction existing between human factors and the quality and peculiar characteristics of the “Salice Salentino” wine. “, That is, it is the testimony of how human intervention in the particular territory has, over the centuries, handed down the traditional techniques of cultivation of the vine and oenological, which in the modern and contemporary era have been improved and refined, thanks the undisputed scientific and technological progress, up to obtaining the current renowned wines.
The Salice Salentino DOC wine obtained the recognition of the Controlled Designation of Origin on 8 April 1976.

Territory

The geographical area dedicated to the production of the Salice Salentino DOC wine extends over the Lecce hills of Salento, in an area that is adequately ventilated, bright and conducive to carrying out all the vegetative-productive functions of the vineyards.
The Salice Salentino DOC Wine Production Area is located in:
– province of Lecce and includes the territory of the municipalities of Salice Salentino, Veglie and Guagnano and, in part, the territory of the municipality of Campi Salentina.
– province of Brindisi and includes the territory of the municipalities of San Pancrazio Salentino, Sandonaci and, in part, the territory of the municipality of Cellino San Marco.

Vinification and Aging

During the vinification phases, only loyal and constant oenological practices of the area are allowed, suitable to give the wines their particular quality characteristics.
The oenological practices of vinification of the DOC Salice Salentino wine include, among other things, that:
– The maximum yield of grapes into DOC Salice Salentino wine must not exceed 70% and 50% for the type of Rosé wine; if these parameters are exceeded within the limit of 5%, the excess will not be entitled to the DOC, but can be used in the production of IGT wines in the defined geographical area. Beyond these limits the right to DOC for the whole product lapses, which also in this case all the grapes can be used in the production of IGT wines within the defined geographical area.
– The grapes destined for the production of the Salice Salentino DOC wine can be subjected to natural drying on the vine, on mats or in boxes, even in the loft in controlled temperature, humidity and ventilation conditions.
– Salice Salentino Spumante DOC wines can be vinified with the refermentation process in the bottle (Classic Method), or with refermentation in autoclave (Charmat or Martinotti Method).
– The Salice Salentino Aleatico DOC wine must be aged for about 6 months and, in any case, released on the market no earlier than March 1st of the year following the harvest.
– The DOC Salice Salentino Rosso wine with or without the specification of the Negroamaro grape variety with the mention Riserva must be aged for at least 24 months, of which at least 6 in wooden barrels.
– Salice Salentino Aleatico and Aleatico Liquoroso DOC wines with the mention Riserva must be aged for at least 24 months.
On the labels of each type of DOC Salice Salentino wine it is mandatory to report the year of production of the grapes, with the exception of the types of Sparkling and Fortified Wine.