Nero di Troia 2020

POWERFUL & ELEGANT NERO DI TROIA 2020 – 14% ABV – Intense Blackcurrant, Black Cherries, Violets and Mediterranean Spice – Deep Purple, Richly Structured and Excellent with Spicy Asian Cuisine

Angiuli Donato Nero di Troia 2020 is a WineProvisionShop bestseller, appreciated for its powerful dark-fruit character, elegant floral aromas and excellent compatibility with spicy Asian cuisine. Produced by the family-owned Angiuli Donato winery near Bari in Puglia, this distinctive Italian red is made from 100% Nero di Troia, one of southern Italy's most interesting indigenous grape varieties.

While Puglia is internationally famous for Primitivo and Negroamaro, Nero di Troia is one of the region's lesser-known treasures. Traditionally associated with northern Puglia, particularly the area around Castel del Monte, this grape is appreciated for its naturally deep colour, substantial polyphenol content, elegant violet aromas and distinctive spicy character.

The Angiuli family has been producing wines for three generations, preserving local grape varieties while combining traditional vineyard practices with modern winemaking techniques. Their Nero di Troia reflects this philosophy, offering an authentic expression of Puglia without relying on heavy oak maturation.

The 2020 displays a deep purple-red colour with developing ruby reflections and an expressive bouquet of ripe blackcurrants, black cherries and dark forest fruits, complemented by violets, black pepper and aromatic Mediterranean spices. With additional bottle development, subtle notes of dried herbs, leather and earthy spice may be emerging alongside the wine's original fruit character.

On the palate, it is dry, full-bodied, robust and richly structured, with concentrated dark-berry flavours, firm but increasingly integrated tannins and a lingering, pleasantly spicy finish. Its combination of fruit intensity, floral elegance and savoury complexity makes Nero di Troia particularly interesting for wine enthusiasts seeking something different from conventional southern Italian reds.

The grapes are harvested by hand and undergo gentle pressing, followed by approximately 10 days of temperature-controlled fermentation and maceration using a lauter-bottom system. The wine is subsequently matured in stainless-steel tanks rather than oak barrels, preserving the grape's characteristic dark fruit, violet aromas and natural freshness.

The 2020 vintage offers an appealing opportunity to enjoy this structured Italian red with several years of bottle development. Its originally substantial tannins may have softened, while its blackcurrant and cherry aromas can develop additional nuances of dried fruit, leather, Mediterranean herbs and savoury spice. The wine is particularly well suited to enjoying now rather than extended cellaring.

One of the reasons this wine has become a WPS bestseller is its versatility with strongly flavoured food. Its generous dark fruit, robust structure and distinctive spice character make it an excellent companion to Indian cuisine and richly seasoned Asian meat dishes, particularly preparations with aromatic spices, slow-cooked meats and savoury sauces.

A distinctive and characterful Puglian red – deep purple, intensely fruity, elegantly floral and beautifully structured, with a long, spicy finish. A wonderful discovery for lovers of powerful Italian reds and an excellent alternative to Primitivo.