Judith Schrut has a taste of wine at I Pastini Winery on her tour of Puglia.
It’s approaching early evening in Puglia’s lush Itrian Valley and time to enjoy that important Italian tradition known as aperitivo– socialising over drinks and snacks to whet your appetite for dinner. It’s also the perfect time for a tour and tasting visit to I Pastini winery.
In the capable hands of the Carparelli family, I Pastini has been making its mark as a quality producer of organic red and white wine. Combining modern production techniques with the best of traditional viticulture, including handpicking its grapes, this winery has garnered a string of prestigious awards and now supplies top UK restaurants.
It was a pleasure to meet the skilled and passionate Gianni Carparelli, follow his informative tour round farm, cellars and production rooms and sample I Pastini’s lovely beverages in an elegant tasting room overlooking the vineyards. We waited excitedly as he described then poured us a tasting glass of each variety, accompanied by olives and other treats.
I enjoyed I Pastini’s joyful, lively white Antico Locorotondo, its delicate, elegant blush-pink Le Rotaie and gently sparkling 1759 Spumante Classico. But as a sucker for great full bodied reds, I adored (and bought reasonably priced cases of) the intense ruby Arpago Primitivo and the classically balanced VersoSud Susumaniello. I Pastini also makes a pretty gorgeous grappa, ChiancaNuda, serious at 43 percent alcohol.
Il Pastini Winery is located at Strada Cupa Rampone Zona A, 74015 Martina Franca TA, Italy. Full details at www.ipastini.it.
Stay tuned for more Eat Puglia posts to come.
