Beverage

Negroamaro

Negroamaro is Puglia’s dark, sun-ripened red with black cherry, plum, dried herb, and a slightly bitter (amaro) edge that gives the grape its name. Medium-to-full body and ripe tannin suit both everyday Salento reds and more ambitious oak-aged bottles, often blended with Primitivo or Malvasia Nera. The style is warm-climate Mediterranean rather than Alpine elegance. Cook with Negroamaro for orecchiette with ragu, grilled lamb, and tomato-rich stews of the heel of Italy; fruit and mild bitterness support garlic, chilli, and olive oil. Reductions stay friendly if the bottle is ripe and clean—avoid green bulk that tastes hollow when boiled. A splash finishes pan sauces for sausage and peppers well.

Also known as: Negroamaro