Grape Variety: Primitivo

Colour: Red

The first documented use of the term Primitivo appears in Italian governmental publications of the 1870s. The name derives from the terms primativus or primaticcio, which refer to the grape’s tendency to ripen earlier than other varieties. This name’s appearance forty years after the first documented use of the term Zinfandel was previously thought to suggest that Primitivo was introduced to Italy from across the Atlantic; however, this hypothesis became unlikely since the discovery of the vine’s Croatian origin.

Primitivo is now thought to have been introduced as a distinct clone into the Apulia region of Italy in the 1700s. Don Francesco Filippo Indellicati, the priest of the church at Gioia del Colle near Bari, selected an early ("primo") ripening plant of the Zagarese variety (the name possibly derived from “Zagreb") and planted it in Liponti. This clone ripened at the end of August and became widespread throughout northern Puglia.

The straight Primitivo from Fatalone cuts to the chase with its sweet tobacco scent and flavours of sour black cherry, mussel plum and toffee. A smooth, warm, balanced red it finishes on an aftertaste of toasted almond, typical of the Primitivo of Gioia del Colle. Recommended with lamb cooked with garlic, rosemary and Primitivo – natch.

The Riserva is exotically rich and super-ripe oozing scents of fruits-in-alcohol and spicy-toasted wood. This monster has smoothed out over time: it is warm and velvety with dried fruits baked under a marzipan crust.
Serve with stewed and braised meats such as Filetto di Maiale alla Calvacanti, Stufato alla Napoletana and with cheese.

Gioia’s “Primitivo”

Of ancient birth I am
of noble stock
I love a life of genuine taste.
Therefore, the hill, the rock
are my true home.
I rejoice
when the hot summer sun
burns the soil
I turn violet.
Even more I take pleasure
in seizing its beams,
which day after day
give me more and more strength
while my joyful roots
spread out and seek refuge
within the cool cracks in the rock.
It fell to my lot
to be overlooked and mistreated
in my native country
guest of honour and of great prestige
in far California
(nemo propheta in patria).
Thanks to generous hands,
with love and passion
and great sacrifice,
I was snatched from the insane oblivion,
I was given life and pride
and all I need and deserve
so that my strong vinestock
with its austere name
PRIMITIVO DI GIOIA
could still find a decorous place
in the country of Gaudella,
gentle and genuine rise in the Murgia hills
in the surroundings of Gioia.