 The history of wine has always been interlaced with that of man himself.Euripides, the eminent ancient Greek author, wrote about it: “…’twas he that gave the vine to man, sorrow’s antidote. Take wine away and Cypries flies, and every other human joy is dead”. Ancient Greeks thought it could be only drunk blended with water, because undiluted wine could bring to destruction, notwithstanding other ancient peoples, as Shiites, used to drink it undiluted.The wine tradition of Salento finds its roots in the ancient Greek world, where wine was so much appreciated that it was called “The Gods’ nectar”, but where people also feared it. Those who come in Salento can admire the wide vineyards expanses and enjoy the best red and rosé wines of Apulia . Besides olive oil, in fact, the land of Salento can boast another precious production, that one of very full-bodied wines which, from the time of Magna Graecia, have been giving to this territory the name of “ Europe wine-shop”.
Among typical wine species, here we mention the most important ones:
 Primitivo ; A species of wine whose qualities have been recently reappraised, so-called because of its early becoming ripe. In the past it was used only blended with other important wines which had a low alcoholic content. Nowadays it is sold undiluted in bottle with excellent results, becoming a product in great demand both on national and international markets. Maybe it was first produced in the XVII century by some Benedictine monks who started the tilling inside the convent of Gioia del Colle. From this place the cultivation spread all around Jonico-Salentina area and particularly in the territory of Sava-Manduria , where wine growing was monopolized.
Negro Amaro; It is the most ancient species of wine that Apulia region was able to preserve. Many historians say that it was already used by Messapians, 2500 years ago. Its name comes from a dialect naming “Niuru-maru”. Currently Negro Amaro is employed blended as the base for other important red wines productions of Salento and for the best Italian rosé wines.
Malvasia Nera of Lecce and Brindisi; Another precious species of wines of Salento, the “Malvasia”, gives a red-ruby full-bodied wine, palatable, winy smell, harmonic, velvety, dry and strong taste. Its grape is often blended, particularly with Negro-Amaro, but also with other typical grapes of the same territory.
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