The light of Puglia protagonist in Germany

Radici Virtuos project

Within the Radici Virtuose project, a program of economic, social and environmental regeneration of the Ionian-Salento area affected by xylella, promoted and financed by MIPAAF, there were three events organised in Germany by Gambero Rosso. The first appointment featured Consorzio di Tutela Primitivo di Manduria, ambassador of the Radici Virtuose project, with a dinner dedicated to the wines of the appellation. On March 15, Marco Sabellico, Lorenzo Ruggeri and Donatella Decataldo, in the setting of the Martinelli restaurant in Munich, presented 12 wines, vintages 2021-2016, perfectly paired with a menu designed to break the rules.

The pairings with typical Puglia troccoli, coratina olive oil and taralli were surprising, the pairing of Primitivo di Manduria and monkfish with spicy caponata was sensational. "The strength of the primitivo is its universal character. Intense, fruity, competitively priced, it is appreciated by everyone without so much as an afterthought," commented well-known German journalist Jens Priewe.

Puglia's wines in Germany

The second scheduled event took place on Saturday, March 18th at the Rheinterrasse in Düsseldorf: Marco Sabellico conducted a seminar that offered a taste of the diversity of Puglia wines: the Radici Virtuose program brought 12 wines representative of the territories of the three leading Consorzio di Tutela Primitivo di Manduria Dop, Brindisi Dop and Salice Salentino Dop. The third appointment was instead a true Puglia Party in full swing, which was scheduled for Monday, March 20th again at the Rheinterrasse in Düsseldorf. The three Puglia denominations were once again the protagonists: Primitivo di Manduria Dop, Brindisi Dop and Salice Salentino Dop. 30 wineries delighted an international audience with orecchiette, panzerotti and bombette carefully prepared by Piazza Saitta restaurant. The beautiful voice of Ilaria Patassini, alias Pilar graced the evening, accompanied on the piano by Roberto Terenzi.