Wines Unspecified Christian Patat - Appassimento

Viniou Reviews

Christian Patat’s Cuvée Appassimento is a red wine crafted in the sun-drenched region of Puglia in southern Italy. This cuvée employs the traditional appassimento technique, where grapes are partially dried before fermentation, concentrating their sugars and aromas. While the precise grape blend is not specified, appassimento reds from Puglia often feature indigenous varieties such as Negroamaro, Primitivo, or Malvasia Nera. As a non-vintage wine, this cuvée combines various harvests to achieve a consistent house style, typically resulting in a richly textured and fruit-forward profile, with notes of dried plums, figs, dark cherries and subtle spice, rounded by velvety tannins.

The Puglia region is renowned for its fertile, sun-blessed vineyards stretching along the heel of Italy’s boot. Calcareous clay soils, maritime breezes, and abundant sunshine contribute to grapes that reach full ripeness, yielding bold, full-bodied wines. Historically, Puglia has long been a breadbasket for Italian wine, yet in recent decades, producers like Christian Patat have championed higher quality through careful selection and innovative winemaking techniques such as appassimento. This blend of tradition and modernity has elevated Puglian wines, making them increasingly sought-after by enthusiasts seeking richness and warmth.

Given its opulent and generous character, this appassimento pairs beautifully with hearty fare. Opt for regional classics like orecchiette with beef ragù or a slow-cooked lamb stew, where the savoury intensity of the food matches the wine’s depth. The wine’s ripe fruit and subtle sweetness also work well with blue cheeses or a pizza topped with spicy sausage and roasted peppers.

For optimal enjoyment, serve this red at 16-18°C. Decanting for about 30 minutes before serving will allow the flavours to open up fully, letting you appreciate the lush, sun-ripened charm that is the hallmark of Puglia’s winemaking tradition.