# Casa Marzoni Appassimento (2024)

- **Producer:** Casa Marzoni
- **Colour:** red
- **Type:** still
- **Grapes:** Montepulciano, Negroamaro, Uva di Troia, Lambrusco, Sangiovese, Merlot
- **Region:** Puglia, Italy
- **Style:** Classic
- **Alcohol:** 14.5%
- **Average price:** €25
- **Vegan:** Yes
- **Contains sulphites:** Yes
- **When to drink:** Now or Later
- **Serving temperature:** 16–18 °C
- **Aromas & flavours:** cherry, plum, vanilla, chocolate, cloves, cinnamon

## About this wine

Casa Marzoni Appassimento is a distinctive red wine from Puglia, Italy, crafted by Casa Marzoni. The producer is committed to organic viticulture and traditional winemaking techniques, aiming to create powerful yet smooth wines that embody the region's character. The vineyards are strategically located near the Adriatic Sea, benefiting from a long, warm summer tempered by cooling sea breezes. A unique feature of this wine is its traditional 'spago' (string) seal, a nod to historical winemaking practices. The wine's rich and intense flavor profile is a direct result of the Appassimento process, a time-honored method of drying grapes.

## Interesting facts

- Grapes are dried on the vine for two weeks, losing half their weight to concentrate flavors, a process called Appassimento.
- The wine is sealed by hand with a traditional 'spago' (string), a technique dating back centuries to hold the cork.
- Casa Marzoni uses organic methods and traditional techniques, reflecting Puglia's rich winemaking heritage.
- The 2025 Gilbert & Gaillard guide awarded this wine a Double Gold medal for its exceptional quality.

## Food pairing

This full-bodied, concentrated red wine with its rich fruit and spicy notes pairs exceptionally well with hearty, savory dishes. Its intensity and structure can stand up to rich meats, robust pasta dishes, and aged cheeses, complementing their flavors without being overwhelmed. The wine's inherent sweetness (though dry) and smooth finish also make it a delightful companion to umami-rich charcuterie and creamy textures, creating a harmonious dining experience.

## Wine making process

The winemaking process for Casa Marzoni Appassimento begins with the Appassimento method, where grapes are left to dry on the vine for two weeks under the Italian sun, starting in mid-September. This natural drying concentrates the flavors as the grapes lose approximately half their weight. Following this, the handpicked grapes undergo fermentation. The wine is then aged in oak, a crucial step that contributes to its smoothness and imparts complex aromas of vanilla, cocoa beans, and various spices, enhancing its overall depth and character.