Yesterday I had the distinct pleasure of joining a small group of media for An Afternoon in Puglia presented by Vito Palumbo, CEO of Tormaresca. An intimate reception and a wine-paired lunch. Billed as a true taste of Puglian cuisine and culture, right in Vancouver. Held at Hydra Estiatoria on Pender Street, downtown Vancouver.
Everything was excellent, from the cheeses and charcuterie to the ceviche, oysters on the half shell; and that was just the reception. We sipped on Tormaresca Chardonnay which I loved.
Following a brief introduction we were seated for lunch and the next two wine pairings. The dishes were beautifully presented; with the Burrata, tomato, cucumber, olive, pepper, caper and extra virgin olive oil dish, the pairing was a subtle Rosé which was perfection.
This was followed by the Orrechiette, sausage, charred broccolini, garlic, tomato, fennel pollen, bambino bianca paired with the Torcicoda Primitivo. A well balanced, rich red that was excellent with the pasta dish.
We also enjoyed a decadent dessert; a Pasticcioti, crispy phyllo pastry, orange, semolina custard, dark chocolate. Also enjoyed with the Torcicoda Primitivo.
Read on for all about these three delightful wines that we tasted and enjoyed.
CHARDONNAY
PUGLIA IGT
A vibrant, crisp chardonnay that taste like sea.
PRODUCTION
The Chardonnay grapes, picked at proper ripeness levels, were immediately pressed in our cellars. After the soft pressing, the must was chilled to a temperature of 50° Fahrenheit (10° centigrade) to favor a natural settling of the impurities. The clarified must was then fermented in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks at a temperature of 61° Fahrenheit (16° centigrade) in order to fully bring out the aromatic patrimony of the grapes. The wine was then aged in stainless steel until it is bottled.
TASTING NOTES
COLOUR: Light yellow with greenish highlights.
AROMA: predominantly fruity with sensations of apples and citrus fruit rind, delicately floral with notes of acacia flowers and hawthorn.
FLAVOUR: fresh on the palate and well balanced with light balsamic notes.
I was so surprised by how much I enjoyed this wine. I have been slow to come over to the Chardonnay side so this was a wonderful experience.
Gorgeous herbaceous scents, limestone, the ocean. The wine expresses some resailient notes which suits because the grapes are grown near the sea.
Rich but not heavy or cloying that sometimes describes a Chardonnay. The wine is delicious and refreshing. Dry with excellent acidity.
– my notes
$25.38 available at Legacy Liquor Store
Tormaresca Chardonnay is straw yellow with greenish reflections. On the nose, dominant notes of white pulp fruit, apples, and pineapples are well balanced by citrusy sensations of orange blossoms and jasmin. Its fragrant palate is savory with a soft entry and balanced freshness. notes courtesy of Legacy Liquor Store
OUR CHARDONNAY
This Chardonnay is Tormaresca’s signature label from its namesake estate. Being a symbol of Apulia’s intrinsic nature, with its high-quality standards, is a source of pride for Tormaresca and its close connection to the territory is made evident through the etymology of the name itself. “Tormaresca” is a creative name that evokes the 580 historical fortified towers built to defend the Apulian coastline from pirates that for centuries threatened the local populations. These same invaders proved to be sources of important cultural contributions that left their mark in the area.
CALAFURIA
SALENTO IGT
Un rosato di grande espressività racchiude eleganza e personalità.
PRODUCTION
The grapes were selected manually, destemmed delicately, and given a soft pressing. The must which went into stainless steel tanks at a temperature of 50° Fahrenheit (10° centigrade) to assist a natural settling of the impurities. The fermentation which then followed took place at a low temperature, 61° Fahrenheit (16° centigrade), to preserve to the maximum extent the primary aromas. A brief aging period in stainless steel tanks and a four month period of bottle aging preceded release.
TASTING NOTES
COLOUR: a peach petal pink.
AROMA: both intense and delicate with fragrant notes of peaches, roses, and cherry blossoms.
FLAVOUR: a fresh and balanced wine, highly savory and with much aromatic persistence.
With fruity and floral scents that were much more subtle than I anticipated. A bit earthy with a wonderful minerality. A delicious food friendly rosé that is similar to a high quality Provence rosé.
The Calafuria was the perfect compliment to the tomato and burrata salad. Just delicious!
– my notes
$32.98 available at Everything Wine
OUR ROSE’ WINE
Calafuria takes its name from the over 700 bays on the Apulian peninsula. The region has a long tradition in the production of rosé wines made with Negroamaro, a variety that best expresses its full potential near the sea. Our rosé is produced from vineyards that extend across the Adriatic coastline for over a kilometer.
TORCICODA
SALENTO IGT
A modern interpretation of the Primitivo grape, first apulian wine that got into Wine Spectator’s Top 100.
Grape variety
Primitivo
Climate
Overall, weather during the 2020 growing season in Salento was normal but dry. Winter brought mild conditions and average rainfall. Spring was cool and dry. Sunny, breezy weather followed during the summer months with significant day/night temperature swings just before the grape harvest.
The skins of red grape varieties, especially Primitivo, achieved optimal ripeness with excellent concentration levels while maintaining the berries’ fruity aromatic and flavour profile.
Primitivo grapes were harvested about one week later compared to previous years: between September 5th and 15th on Masseria Maìme, and between September 17th and 23rd on the Carrubo estate.
Vinification and aging
Grapes were harvested slightly over-ripe. After destemming, the berries were gently crushed, and the must was transferred to stainless steel tanks where alcoholic fermentation took place at a controlled temperature that did not exceed 28 °C (82 °F). During maceration on the skins, periodic pump overs and delèstage (rack and return) were performed over a period of approximately 13 days. Torcicoda was left to age for about 18 months before bottling.
Tasting notes
Torcicoda 2020 is an intense ruby red color with light violet hues. On the nose, dominant notes of red fruit, black cherries, and plums merge with spicy sensations of licorice, vanilla, and tobacco. Its entry on the palatft and generous with good structure sustained by an elegant tannic texture. It closes with a long, persistent finish accented by a pleasant aftertaste of liqueur cherries.
(winery notes are from the 2020 vintage)
Aromas are deep and intense with dark fruit, quite heavenly in fact. Blackberries, chocolate, some leather scents. Dark fruits blend with herbaceous aromas and distinct minerality.
We learned that this is the most famous grape in Puglia, but it is also a fun and enjoyable fine wine, with a strong connection to Greece as well as being an Italian cousin of the Zinfandel grape. The original vines were brought to Puglia by a monk. This is the first red grape to be harvested each season. It is challenging due to the fragility of the skins, with a tight window to harvest.
Delicious flavours abound in this wine. Dark cherries in the mouth. From old vines which require less water making them more sustainable. An essence of black pepper, spice and leather with good acidity. Think plum torte or blackberry jelly. A well balanced wine. Crisp, medium to heavier tannins with a rich, deep finish. This wine lends itself to a very diverse pairing selection.
– my notes
$40.38 available at Legacy Liquor Store
On the nose it delivers intense fruity notes of morello cherries and plums that merge with sweet spicy sensations of licorice and vanilla. Its entry on the palate is soft and generous with an elegant tannic texture that accompanies its remarkable structure. Its lengthy, persistent finish is accented by a pleasant aftertaste of liqueur cherries. notes courtesy of Legacy Liquor Store
TORCICODA
The Masseria Maìme estate is located in one of the most beautiful areas of Upper Salento not too far from the town of San Pietro Vernotico in the province of Brindisi. The estate extends along the coastline forming a unique countryside of vineyards that lies between woodlands and pine forests stretching out as far as the eye can see until blending into the sea. The most prevalent grape varieties grown here are Negroamaro, Primitivo, Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon.
Torcicoda is crafted with Primitivo, this wine has strong ties to the rustic and rural countryside where it is produced. It was also a symbol of fertility and wealth for the local families, and in a not-too-distant past and it was even given as part of young brides’ dowries when they married. “Torcicoda” on one hand indicates an instrument that farmers once used to take care of their horses while on the other hand it represents the coiling, luxuriant nature of the shoots and leaves of its vines, also called the vine “of three harvests” due to its abundant growth.
Tormaresca
LEADING APULIA’S MODERN RENAISSANCE
Named for the region’s ancient seaside towers overlooking the Adriatic Sea, Tormaresca adds a fresh dimension to Italy’s world-class wine landscape. Indeed, it is the only producer with vineyards in both of Puglia’s elite winegrowing regions.
The Bocca di Lupo estate is located within the Castel del Monte DOC, while the Masseria Maìme estate is in the Salento area, the pulsing heart of this vibrant winemaking region. Tormaresca leads Puglia’s modern renaissance by combining classic winemaking with the latest viticulture techniques to create exceptional wines just waiting to be discovered. All Tormaresca wines are crafted with 100% estate-grown fruit.
Bocca di Lupo occupies 250 acres of chalky soil at an elevation of 800 feet above sea level in Murgia, near the volcano Vulture. Blessed with abundant sunshine and warm temperatures, the vineyard’s Chardonnay, Aglianico, Fiano, Moscato, and Cabernet Sauvignon grapes flourish, producing wines with fresh, vibrant, and elegant flavours.
Masseria Maìme estate’s 625 acres extend over half a mile along the Adriatic coast, providing an ideal growing environment for Negroamaro, Primitivo, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, and Fiano. Together, these estates enable Tormaresca to cultivate both exceptional native and international varietals in the heart of Puglia.
MAGNUM CALAFURIA
EDIZIONE LIMITATA
Ogni cartone contiene cinque magnum con etichetta d’artista ed una con etichetta classica
ARTISTS’ LABEL
As every year for five years now, the new vintage comes with a gift: a limited edition with artist’s labels. Over time, the project was carried out by young, talented illustrators such as Gio Pistone, Valeria Petrone, Davide Bonazzi and Giordano Poloni, each one with drawings inspired by the classic summer atmosphere of the rosé. To interpret Calafuria’s bond with art for the 2021 vintage is the signature of Matteo Cibic, an artist and designer recognizable for his objects with hybrid functions and for the use of anthropomorphic shapes and colors.
Purchase information here.
Wine notes courtesy of Tormaresca. My notes (in italics). Reception and Lunch; Hydra Estiatoria, if you have never been you really must go there. Special thanks to our charming host, Vito Palumbo and thank you to Andrea Harrison, the Mark Anthony Group for the invitation. Lunch and wine pairings were complimentary. Images: MyVanCity
