Description
The Leverano PDO is reserved for the following types of wine: White, Red, Rosé, White Passito, Natural Sweet and Novello. The Designation also incorporates numerous grape variety specifications.
Production Area
The production area of Leverano PDO is within the entire territory of the municipality of Leverano in the Province of Lecce, in the Apulia region.
Description of product typologies
Leverano PDO Bianco is straw-yellow, tending towards golden with ageing; the nose is fresh with fruity sensations of apple and peach and notes of white flowers; the fruitiness of the nose returns on the palate, blending with aromatic and slightly mineral sensations. Leverano PDO Rosso ranges from ruby red to garnet red; the nose bursts with aromatic notes of ripe fruit and spices; it is dry and harmonious on the palate, with a delicate almondy background. It can display Riserva on the label if the wine has been aged for at least 2 years, commencing November 1st of the year in which the grapes were produced. Leverano PDO Rosato ranges from pink to soft cherry pink; the nose displays intense fruity notes, with an evident aroma of raspberry; it is fresh on the palate, offering a dry, harmonious flavour. Leverano PDO Passito Bianco ranges from golden yellow to amber; the nose is rich and intense; the intensity of the nose transforms into a velvety and mildly sweet flavour, with notes of apricot. Leverano PDO Dolce Naturale Bianco is golden-yellow; the nose reveals surprisingly fresh and intense grassy notes; it is velvety, pleasant and slightly fruity on the palate. Leverano PDO Novello is ruby red; it offers a delicate, fresh fruity bouquet on the nose; it is dry and sapid on the palate, with a lively flavour and good persistence. For all types of Leverano PDO wines, the grapes can be dried on the vines, on straw mats, in crates, or in grape drying rooms with controlled temperature, humidity and ventilation.
Geographical and sub-area specifications
The Leverano PDO can also be accompanied by additional geographical specifications referring to municipalities, districts, farms and localities within the production area.
Grape variety specifications
The Leverano PDO may display the following grape variety specifications. From white grape varieties: min. 85% Malvasia Bianca, Chardonnay, pure or with the addition of similarly-coloured grapes originating from other grape varieties suitable for cultivation in the concerned area, max. 15%, excluding Moscato Bianco and Moscatello Selvatico Bianco. From red grape varieties (Red, including Superiore, Rosé): min. 85% (min. 90% for Superiore wines) Negroamaro or Negro Amaro, pure or with the addition of similarly-coloured grapes originating from other grape varieties suitable for cultivation in the concerned area, max. 15% (max. 10% for Superiore wines). The characteristics of the colour, fragrances and flavour of each specification are those typical of the grape variety and terroir of origin. Leverano PDO Negroamaro Rosso Superiore wines must have undergone an ageing period of 12 months, commencing November 1st of the year in which the grapes were produced; for Leverano PDO Negramaro Rosso Riserva the ageing period is 24 months, commencing November 1st of the year in which the grapes were produced, of which at least 6 months must be maturing in wood.
Additional specifications
The Leverano PDO can be followed by the specification Vigna (Vineyard) with the relative toponym.
