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Zensa Primitivo Puglia is a full-bodied organic Primitivo wine from Puglia in southern Italy. Made from certified organic vineyards, this Italian red wine delivers ripe blackberry fruit, soft velvety tannins and subtle oak spice – a perfect match for grilled meats, pasta dishes and mature cheeses.
The grapes for Zensa Primitivo are sourced from low-yielding, fully organic vineyards in the Salento area of Southern Puglia. These vines are trained in the Guyot system with an average age of 20 to 35 years old. These older vines produce smaller yields and more concentrated fruit, which is reflected in more concentrated and complex wine.
The grapes for this organic Primitivo wine are harvested by hand in late August.
After de-stemming, the grapes are not crushed, allowing them to remain intact, reducing damage to the skins and optimising colour extraction.
The wine undergoes a temperature-controlled fermentation at 24/25 °C for 8–10 days.
Frequent remontage and délestage are carried out in the early stages of fermentation to achieve soft extraction of aromas and gentle tannins.
After racking, malolactic bacteria are added to induce a second fermentation.
Finally, 30% of the wine is aged for 8 months in American and French oak barriques.
This Italian red wine is produced by Orion Wines. The company was created in 2010 to bring together interesting wines from small growers and wineries from all over Italy. The company was created by 25 year wine trade veteran Luca Pomaro, head winemaker Alessandro Michelon and Elena Cuirletti, who had worked in the English and German markets.
Orion Wines retains complete control over the vineyards and growers they work with. The idea is to produce wines from indigenous grapes that express the typicity of the particular region where they are grown.
Orion also produces a wide range of other fantastic Italian red wines under their Borgo dei Trulli label, including other Primitivo wines such as Lucale and Saracena. There is also a Zensa white wine produced from 100% Fiano. All of these wines and Zensa Primitivo are available to buy at Fareham Wine Cellar.
Zensa means “without” or “to do without” in Italian, and this certified organic Primitivo wine is produced without synthetic pesticides, fertilisers or herbicides, supporting sustainable viticulture in Puglia. The weeds and grass between the vine rows are allowed to grow and then mowed periodically so that the cut weeds rot back into the soil, which provides organic fertiliser.
Vegan friendly.
Zensa Primitivo is a striking, ink-dark crimson colour. The nose demonstrates a decadent blend of bramble fruit and spiced plum, layered with a luxurious hint of bitter chocolate and sun-dried herbs. On the palate, it is remarkably plush and silky, delivering a concentrated wave of black cherry jam and sweet spice. The wine finishes with a beautifully rounded, lingering finish with a touch of natural sweetness. This is a beautifully approachable wine.
Zensa Primitivo pairs perfectly with:
Grilled steak or lamb
Rich tomato pasta dishes
Slow-cooked beef ragu
Mature hard cheeses
Barbecue dishes
An excellent choice for hearty autumn and winter meals.
Is Zensa Primitivo organic?
Yes, it is made from certified organic vineyards in Puglia.
Is Zensa Primitivo vegan-friendly?
Yes. It is suitable for vegetarian and vegan diets.
What does Primitivo taste like?
Primitivo typically shows ripe black cherry, plum and blackberry flavours, often with notes of spice, chocolate and vanilla. Zensa Primitivo is full-bodied with soft tannins and a smooth, warming finish.
Is Primitivo the same as Zinfandel?
Yes, Primitivo is genetically identical to Zinfandel, but typically shows a more rustic Italian style.
Should I decant this wine?
This wine does not really need decanting, but I will open the bottle around 45 minutes before serving, allowing the wine to breathe and open up. Serve at room temperature, between 15 and 18C.
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