2022 Puglia Pop Fico

2022 Puglia Pop Fico is a vibrant, characterful red from Salento in southern Italy, crafted entirely from the rare and ancient Susumaniello grape. Almost forgotten until recent years, Susumaniello has been revived here in a thoroughly modern style, wrapped in a striking, innovative bottle that protects both the wine and the environment. Fico stands out for its combination of deep tradition, cutting‑edge packaging and an expressive, Mediterranean personality in the glass.

Tasting Notes
In the glass, Puglia Pop Fico shows a beautiful, bright ruby-red colour with vivid violet reflections, hinting at its youthful energy and concentration. The nose is generous and refined, offering layers of ripe blackberry, blackcurrant (cassis) and dark cherry, interwoven with fresh Mediterranean herbs, a touch of liquorice and subtle spicy notes from its time in wood. On the palate, the wine is full-flavoured yet well-balanced, with a fine structure and silky tannins that give it both presence and elegance. Juicy black and red fruits dominate at first, followed by nuances of dried herbs, sweet spice and a gentle savoury edge that adds complexity. The acidity is fresh and well-integrated, keeping the wine lively and food-friendly, while the finish is long, polished and pleasantly persistent. Enjoyable now for its vibrant fruit and supple texture, it also has the potential to develop additional complexity over the next 3–5 years if stored correctly.

Production
The grapes for Fico come from Salento in Puglia, a sun-drenched peninsula surrounded by the Adriatic and Ionian Seas, where warm days, cooling breezes and limestone-rich soils give naturally concentrated, aromatic fruit. Susumaniello, whose name recalls the Italian word for donkey due to the grape’s ability to carry very large clusters, is harvested entirely by hand starting in October and carefully transported in small crates to preserve berry integrity. Fermentation takes place in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks, followed by an extended maceration on the skins for 3 to 5 weeks to extract colour, aroma and fine tannins. After fermentation, the wine is aged in large 440-litre clay amphorae, which enhance purity and texture, and then matured for a further six months in 10-hectolitre American and French oak casks before bottling in its specially designed, protective and fully recyclable bottle.

Food & Serving
This expressive Salento red is an excellent partner for rich Mediterranean dishes such as grilled lamb chops with herbs, slow-cooked beef ragù, stuffed peppers, or roasted eggplant and tomato-based pasta. It also pairs beautifully with aged hard cheeses, charcuterie and hearty vegetarian stews featuring lentils, mushrooms or root vegetables. Serve at around 16–18°C; if the wine is very young or just opened, a brief decant of 30–45 minutes will help it open up, softening the tannins and allowing its dark fruit and herbal notes to shine.

Producer
Puglia Pop is a contemporary producer from Italy’s Puglia region, dedicated to showcasing local grape varieties in a fresh, modern way while paying homage to the area’s deep-rooted wine heritage. Based in Salento, the estate focuses on native grapes like Susumaniello, giving them new life through careful vineyard work and innovative cellar practices. An important part of Puglia Pop’s philosophy is sustainability and design: their distinctive bottles not only offer 45% better insulation against temperature changes and full protection from light, but are also 100% recyclable and support social projects in Puglia. With Fico Susumaniello earning 4.5 stars and the top rating for the variety in a 2022 blind tasting by Press Wine, Puglia Pop has quickly become a noteworthy ambassador for modern Puglian wine on the international stage.

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