Liante Salice Salentino DOC

Liante is Castello Monaci’s only DOC: Salice Salentino. The name refers to the Levanter wind, freezing in winter and hot in summer, which blows hard and consistently through our vineyards, acting as a natural mould deterrent. This wine is softened by the addition of Malvasia Nera di Lecce, endowing it with velvety, creamy flavour, the perfect partner for the freshness of Negroamaro.

PRODUCTION DISTRICT: Salice Salentino (Lecce).

ALTITUDE: 30 metres above sea level.

TYPE OF SOIL: Deep, dry clayey soil with limestone tuff. Average yield is 80 quintals per hectare.

TRAINING SYSTEM: Short-pruned, bush-trained, and spurred cordon.

HARVEST: The grapes are partly hand-picked and partly mechanically harvested, in the early morning, in mid to late September.

WINEMAKING METHOD: After crushing, the grapes are fermented at a controlled temperature in stainless steel vats, with 10–12 days’ maceration and scheduled pumping over.

AGEING NOTE: After malolactic fermentation, part of the wine is matured for 6 months in second- and third-fill French oak barriques, while the rest remains in stainless steel.

SENSORY PROFILE: Deep ruby red colour. Very vibrant, complex aromas with hints of morello cherries, prunes, chocolate and vanilla. The palate displays warm, vigorous, well-balanced flavour on a stylish ripe fruit and spice background. A balsamic finish with a pleasing note of bitter almonds.

RECOMMENDED CELLARING: 6 years in bottles laid down in a cool, dark place.

FOOD PAIRING: Rack of lamb; highly recommended with horsemeat steaks, meatballs in sauce, mature cheeses, goat meat and grilled vegetables.