We had the very popular Cantele Salice Salentino Riserva in a previous Kompas selection and this time we have Salice Salentino from another leading producer in the region, but this time with significant bottle age. The name Negroamaro literally means “acid black”, and it is thought to be indigenous to Puglia, where its thick skins and ability to hold its acid despite the heat and wind make it well suited to its climate in the heel of the boot. The grapes have ample tannins and acid and this wine is made to amplify the preservative qualities of those attributes and is intended for long aging. Puglia is called the garden of Italy so its cuisine is a cornucopia of everything Mediterranean, and its home-grown red must have been versatile to maintain its favored status through the millennia. It will pair with nearly everything: mild seafood, red meat, grilled veggies and, especially, barbecue.