Coleman Collection #22

PRODUCER

Sabino Leone

CULTIVAR

Peranzana

Harvest Date

October 2020

REGION

Canosa di Puglia, Italy

Puglia’s sixty million olive trees spanning the region north to south, routinely produce 50% of all Italian olive oil.  In the northern town of Canosa, just twelve miles from the Adriatic Sea, multi-generational producer Sabino Leone grows Coratina, Carolea, Frantoio, and Peranzana olives on a 150-hectare grove.  The manicured young cultivars coexist with gnarled 220 year old trees, which reap the benefits of Puglia’s hot sun and whipping winds, causing them to split and twist similar to the accompanying painting.  Their olives are meticulously pruned, machine-harvested and cold extracted at 23 degrees Celsius through a modern Amenduni mill.  The oil is filtered to eliminate micro and macroscopic impurities and stored in temperature controlled, inert gas filled stainless steel tanks.  The result is a clean and balanced oil that exemplifies world-class production.

We’ve selected their monocultivar Peranzana, whose name stems from “provenzale”, Italian for “provencal”.  Although of French origin, the cultivar is famed throughout Northern Puglia and Molise.  It is medium sized, spherical and due to its relatively low yield, suitable for both table olives and oil production.  This clean Peranzana exudes a grassy and herbaceous aroma, balanced bitterness, a hint of green pepper and a delayed elongated peppery finish.  An excellent accompaniment to brighten up grilled seafood, soups, pastas, legumes, vegetables and rich sauces.

Puglia is one of Italy’s flatter regions.  Its scorching hot days are well suited for black-skinned grapes such as Primitivo and Negroamaro.  Primitivo is genetically similar to Zinfandel, and the wines are similar in style – big, plump, and rich.  The grape is grown throughout the region and is a great wine option for those looking for something approachable and food-friendly.

The Salice Salentino appellation is one of Puglia’s best.  Two indigenous grapes produce red wines from this appellation.  Negroamaro is the dominant grape variety that provides structure and muscle and Malvasia Nera provides subtle yet discernable unctuous dark honey aromas.  For all intent and purposes the wines are “dry”, but they have a soft and silky mouth feel and are best enjoyed with hard cheeses and other rich foods.  Try producers Cosimo Taurino,  Cantine Due Palme, and Masseria Li Veli for great introductions to Salice Salentino.