Susumaniello

Susumaniello is mainly found in Puglia in the south of Italy, especially in the "heel" of Italy, the Salento region. It is used to make wines from Puglia’s Brindisi DOC and Squinzano DOC. Susumaniello is a vigorous, high-yielding variety, but the yield drops drastically when the vines grow older. It suits the warm conditions of Salento region in Puglia. Susumaniello was once forgotten as it was used to make sweet extract in the past. The recent come back is due to the increase of quality of the grapes, with the age of vines. It can be made as a varietal wine, or blend with Negroamaro and Malvasia Nera di Brindisi. Susumaniello is used to make fruity wines with flavors of ripe red fruits and spices. Wines made from Susumaniello tend to be medium to full-bodied and have a good acidity and tannic structure. They are well-balanced and have a good length on the palate. Susumaniello pairs well with rich, savory dishes such as pasta with red sauce, roasted meats, and cheeses. It also goes well with grilled vegetables, especially those with sweet notes such as bell peppers and eggplant.