# Cunedda (2022)

- **Producer:** Carvinea
- **Colour:** red
- **Type:** still
- **Grapes:** Negroamaro
- **Region:** Puglia, Italy
- **Style:** Classic
- **Alcohol:** 13.5%
- **Average price:** €17
- **Contains sulphites:** Yes
- **When to drink:** Now or Later
- **Serving temperature:** 16–18 °C
- **Aromas & flavours:** blackberry, raspberry, cherry, rose, mint, liquorice, vanilla, chocolate, cedar, tobacco, leather

## About this wine

Carvinea was founded in 2002 by Beppe di Maria, a former luxury sports car dealer who pursued his passion for viticulture by restoring the 16th-century Masseria Pezze d'Arena in Alto Salento. Located in Carovigno, near Brindisi, the estate focuses on producing high-quality wines from indigenous Puglian varieties. The name 'Cunedda' refers to the ancient votive shrines scattered across the local countryside, where agricultural workers historically paused to offer prayers of hope and gratitude. Under the guidance of renowned enologist Riccardo Cotarella, Carvinea has established itself as a benchmark producer in the region, earning prestigious accolades such as Gambero Rosso's Tre Bicchieri.

## Interesting facts

- The wine is named after 'Cunedda', ancient votive shrines in the Alto Salento countryside where women paused to entrust hopes to the land.
- Founder Beppe di Maria transitioned from running a luxury Porsche dealership to restoring a 16th-century estate for winemaking.
- The estate uses traditional horse-drawn plows to prevent soil compaction and flame-weeding instead of chemical herbicides.
- Yields are strictly limited to one bottle of wine per vine through intensive green harvesting.

## Food pairing

This robust Negroamaro pairs exceptionally well with rich, savory dishes that match its medium-to-full body and pronounced intensity. The wine's vibrant acidity cuts through the fat of slow-cooked meats and rich sauces, while its noble, polished tannins are softened by proteins. The subtle Mediterranean herb and dark fruit notes in the wine beautifully complement roasted game, duck, and aged cheeses.

## Wine making process

The winemaking process for Cunedda Negroamaro emphasizes organic principles and meticulous vineyard management. The estate utilizes flame-weeding and traditional horse-drawn plows to maintain soil health and prevent compaction. Grapes are hand-harvested in early October and strictly sorted, with yields limited to just one bottle per vine. Only 60% of the finest free-run must is selected for fermentation in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks to preserve primary fruit aromatics. The wine is then aged for nine months in French oak barrels, a process designed to refine the wine's structure and integrate its tannins without overpowering the natural varietal character.