Megale (2020)
SommeliAI Insights
A full-bodied red wine with rich fruit flavors and a smooth finish.
About this wine
The Megale Feudo di Santa Croce 2020 is a deep red wine made entirely from Negroamaro grapes, a variety native to Italy's Salento region. It offers complex aromas of plums and sour cherries, complemented by subtle notes of cinnamon. On the palate, the wine is round and harmonious, with a long finish. Negroamaro, meaning 'black and bitter,' is known for producing wines with deep color and rustic character. This wine is a fine example of the rich winemaking tradition of southern Italy.
About the grape
Negroamaro is a dark-skinned grape variety native to southern Italy, particularly the Salento region in Puglia. Its name combines the Italian 'negro' and the Greek 'mavro,' both meaning 'black,' highlighting the grape's deep color. This variety has been cultivated in Salento for centuries, thriving in the region's hot, dry climate and calcareous soils. In the 2020 Feudo di Santa Croce Megale, Negroamaro is the sole grape used, showcasing its adaptability and the rich winemaking heritage of Salento.
Quick facts
- 🍇 The name 'Negroamaro' translates to 'black bitter' in Italian, reflecting the grape's dark color and characteristic bitterness.
- 🇮🇹 Negroamaro is indigenous to the Puglia region in southern Italy, particularly thriving in the Salento peninsula, which forms the 'heel' of Italy's boot.
- 🛢️ The Megale Feudo di Santa Croce 2020 is aged in small oak barrels for 4 to 8 months, enhancing its complexity and depth.
- 🍒 This wine boasts a deep red color with fruity aromas of plums and sour cherries, complemented by spicy notes of cinnamon.
- 🏆 The 2019 vintage of Megale Negroamaro Salento was recognized among Paolo Massobrio’s Top Hundred 2020, highlighting its exceptional quality.
Palate profile
Producer
Feudo di Santa Croce, now known as Feudo Croce, is a picturesque estate located in Carosino, near Grottaglie, in the Salento region of Puglia, Italy. The Tinazzi family acquired the estate in 2001, recognizing the potential of the local indigenous grape varieties. They have since revitalized the vineyards, implementing both the Guyot and traditional Apulian “alberello” training systems, and focusing on cultivating Primitivo, Negroamaro, Malvasia Nera, and Malvasia Bianca grapes. The estate's flagship wine, Imperio LXXIV Primitivo di Manduria, was honored by Wine Spectator as one of the top 100 wines in the world in both 2014 and 2015.
