Cantele Salice Salentino DOC 2022.
Salice Salentino is much more than a denomination it’s a cornerstone of Apulian wine history. It was one of the first to carry Negroamaro beyond regional borders, revealing to the world the potential of a land where vines grow under a generous sun, rooted in red soils that smell of sea and stone.
In the 1980s and ’90s, this wine became a symbol of the region’s revival. And for those of us who grew up among the vineyards of Salento, it represents a deep root a starting point. But every root can bear new fruit, and today, our Salice Salentino has a new face, without losing sight of who it is.
The vintage is younger, the aging more restrained: only about 20% of the wine matures in barrique, while the rest preserves its immediacy and freshness. The result is a balanced red wine where fruit takes center stage. It offers aromas of ripe cherry, black pepper, and a gentle note of Mediterranean herbs. On the palate, it’s lean and smooth, with gentle tannins and a drinkability that never weighs you down.
This Salice Salentino is a bridge between past and present. A wine that speaks the language of tradition, but with a lighter, more contemporary accent. Because the strength of a historic DOC lies in its ability to evolve while remaining true to its identity.
COLOUR: Deep ruby red with violet highlights—bright and compact.
NOSE: Fragrant and well-balanced, with notes of black cherry, blackberry, and dried violet. Hints of black pepper, Mediterranean scrub, and a subtle toasted touch enrich the profile without overpowering it.
PALATE: The attack is soft, balanced by good freshness and well-integrated tannins. The sip is agile yet complex, with returning fruity and spicy notes and a clean, persistent finish. A more dynamic interpretation of Salice Salentino—true to tradition, yet attuned to a contemporary sensibility.
FOOD PAIRINGS: With its balance of structure and drinkability, this wine naturally complements flavorful dishes that aren’t overly rich. Its gentle spiciness and ripe fruit profile pair well with home-style recipes and aromatic plates.
Ideal with light roasts, pasta with meat sauces, mushroom risottos, stuffed vegetables, or veal stews. Also excellent with cured meats and semi-aged cheeses.
In Salento cuisine, it pairs beautifully with orecchiette in meat sauce, pitta di patate with onions and olives, carne al fornello (butcher-style grilled meats), tripe with tomato and pecorino, or sagne ncannulate with ragù. A wine that tells the story of Salento with both restraint and depth.
Salice Salentino is much more than a denomination it’s a cornerstone of Apulian wine history. It was one of the first to carry Negroamaro beyond regional borders, revealing to the world the potential of a land where vines grow under a generous sun, rooted in red soils that smell of sea and stone.
In the 1980s and ’90s, this wine became a symbol of the region’s revival. And for those of us who grew up among the vineyards of Salento, it represents a deep root a starting point. But every root can bear new fruit, and today, our Salice Salentino has a new face, without losing sight of who it is.
The vintage is younger, the aging more restrained: only about 20% of the wine matures in barrique, while the rest preserves its immediacy and freshness. The result is a balanced red wine where fruit takes center stage. It offers aromas of ripe cherry, black pepper, and a gentle note of Mediterranean herbs. On the palate, it’s lean and smooth, with gentle tannins and a drinkability that never weighs you down.
This Salice Salentino is a bridge between past and present. A wine that speaks the language of tradition, but with a lighter, more contemporary accent. Because the strength of a historic DOC lies in its ability to evolve while remaining true to its identity.
COLOUR: Deep ruby red with violet highlights—bright and compact.
NOSE: Fragrant and well-balanced, with notes of black cherry, blackberry, and dried violet. Hints of black pepper, Mediterranean scrub, and a subtle toasted touch enrich the profile without overpowering it.
PALATE: The attack is soft, balanced by good freshness and well-integrated tannins. The sip is agile yet complex, with returning fruity and spicy notes and a clean, persistent finish. A more dynamic interpretation of Salice Salentino—true to tradition, yet attuned to a contemporary sensibility.
FOOD PAIRINGS: With its balance of structure and drinkability, this wine naturally complements flavorful dishes that aren’t overly rich. Its gentle spiciness and ripe fruit profile pair well with home-style recipes and aromatic plates.
Ideal with light roasts, pasta with meat sauces, mushroom risottos, stuffed vegetables, or veal stews. Also excellent with cured meats and semi-aged cheeses.
In Salento cuisine, it pairs beautifully with orecchiette in meat sauce, pitta di patate with onions and olives, carne al fornello (butcher-style grilled meats), tripe with tomato and pecorino, or sagne ncannulate with ragù. A wine that tells the story of Salento with both restraint and depth.