Description
The Squinzano PDO is reserved for the following types of wine: White, Red, Rosé, Spumante, Rosé Spumante 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.
Description of product typologies
Squinzano PDO Bianco is straw-yellow, at times with greenish reflections; the nose reveals fragrances of ripe fruit, peach and melon, and fresh flowers; the flavour offers sapid and fruity sensations, with intense notes of herbs and a delicate minerality. Squinzano PDO Rosso is intense ruby red, acquiring orange hues with ageing; the nose displays notes of mixed berries; the flavour of the fruity 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 Rosato varies from light ruby red to cherry pink; the nose offers delicate traces of mixed berries and wild flowers; fresh notes given to the evident fruitiness dominate the palate, highlighted by a sapid flavour. Squinzano PDO Spumante is characterised is straw-yellow and has a lovely 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 soft to intense pink and has a fine, persistent perlage; the nose offers delicate fragrances of fresh red fruit and bread crust; it is fresh and harmonious the palate, with good acidity and an intense finish. Squinzano PDO Novello is intense ruby red; the nose is persistent, rich with red fruit and pleasantly vinous; it is lively, harmonious and pleasantly acidulous on the palate. Grapes destined for the production of Squinzano PDO Rosato wines must be vinified using traditional methods, which in particular involves the static draining of the pressed grapes after they have been macerated for between 12 to 24 hours; “reassembly” is permitted in order to ensure the wine acquires the desired colour. 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 the bottle or autoclaves; the addition of carbon dioxide is not permitted. Squinzano PDO Spumante wines can be produced as extra-brut through to extra-dry.
Grape variety specifications
The Squinzano PDO may display the following grape variety specifications. From white grape varieties (incl. Spumante): min. 90% Chardonnay, Malvasia Bianca, Fiano, Sauvignon, pure or with the addition of similarly-coloured grapes originating from other grape varieties suitable for cultivation in the concerned area, max. 10%, excluding Moscato varieties. From red grape varieties: min. 85% Negroamaro or Negro Amaro (including Rosé, Rosé Spumante, Riserva), Susumaniello, pure or with the addition of similarly-coloured grapes 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.
