Last week I enjoyed a very tasty and affordable red wine from Italy alongside a wood-fired Napolitan-style Margherita pizza. It was Masseria Li Veli Passamante Salice Salentino DOC and it sells here for a mere $15.99.
The name of the wine – Passamante – has an interesting background story. According to the winemakers at Masseria Li Veli, “The big vineyard of Negroamaro located next to Masseria Li Veli, surrounded by a perimeter of big pine trees, is just beside a forest called ‘Passamante.’ The reason for this name is that in the past, people who wanted to ‘have a tumble in the hay’ with their lover, especially if not allowed, used to pass by this grove. As a consequence, this started to be considered The Forest of Lovers and took on this name from the words ‘Pass’ (to pass) and ‘Amante’ (lover).”
Passamante is made with Negroamaro – dark-skinned grapes grown throughout the Puglia region of Italy and especially in the Salento peninsula, where this wine is made. Wine made from Negroamaro typically has high tannins and cherry, pepper, anise and tobacco flavors.
Passamante is a dense, ruby red wine with dark cherry flavors and spice notes, particularly nutmeg and cinnamon. It was absolutely spot-on with Margherita pizza.
FOR MORE RESTAURANT REVIEWS GO HERE.
THIS CONTENT IS FROM UTAH BITES NEWSLETTER.
Subscribe to get the latest Utah Bites news and reviews
Originally trained as an anthropologist, Ted Scheffler is a seasoned food, wine & travel writer based in Utah. He loves cooking, skiing, and spends an inordinate amount of time tending to his ever-growing herd of guitars and amplifiers.
SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS: click on their logos to visit their website
[nextcode_gallery id_gallery=”4″]
