Susumaniello
Encyclopedia
Susumaniello is a variety of red wine grape from the 'heel' of Italy. It is an ancient grape
variety which is grown in the province of Brindisi
in the southern Italian
region of Puglia.
. It is used as a blending grape in the production of both red and rosé wine
s such as the Negroamaro
-based Brindisi Rosso
and Brindisi Rosato and the Ottavianello-based Ostuni Ottavianello
.
on the one hand and ten other Italian grape varieties on the other hand, including Susumaniello. It is therefore likely that Susumaniello is a crossing of Sangiovese and another, so far unidentified, grape variety.
Grape
A grape is a non-climacteric fruit, specifically a berry, that grows on the perennial and deciduous woody vines of the genus Vitis. Grapes can be eaten raw or they can be used for making jam, juice, jelly, vinegar, wine, grape seed extracts, raisins, molasses and grape seed oil. Grapes are also...
variety which is grown in the province of Brindisi
Province of Brindisi
The Province of Brindisi is a province in the Apulia region of Italy. Its capital is the city of Brindisi. Surrounded by vineyards and artichoke fields, Brindisi is a major sailing port for the southern part of Italy....
in the southern Italian
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
region of Puglia.
Distribution and wines
It is found only in the Italian region of Puglia (Apulia). Until recently the variety had fallen quite out of favour with viticuluralists; however, since 6 September 2003 it has been included in the list of varieties approved by the Puglia region for cultivation in the area of central MurgiaMurgia
Murgia is a sub-region of Apulia in southern Italy, corresponding to a karst topographic plateau of rectangular shape, occupying the central area of the region. The name stems from the Latin murex, meaning "sharp stone"....
. It is used as a blending grape in the production of both red and rosé wine
Wine
Wine is an alcoholic beverage, made of fermented fruit juice, usually from grapes. The natural chemical balance of grapes lets them ferment without the addition of sugars, acids, enzymes, or other nutrients. Grape wine is produced by fermenting crushed grapes using various types of yeast. Yeast...
s such as the Negroamaro
Negroamaro
Negroamaro, also Negro amaro, is a red wine grape variety native to southern Italy. It is grown almost exclusively in Puglia and particularly in Salento, the peninsula which can be visualised as the “heel” of Italy. The grape can produce wines very deep in color. Wines made from Negroamaro tend to...
-based Brindisi Rosso
Brindisi Rosso
Brindisi Rosso is a red DOC wine from the Southern Italian province of Brindisi, in the region of Puglia . The official appellation was granted on November 22, 1979 with presidential decree , under request from Pasquale Medico and Sons and other producers...
and Brindisi Rosato and the Ottavianello-based Ostuni Ottavianello
Ostuni Ottavianello
Ostuni is an Italian Denominazione di Origine Controllata in the Province of Brindisi of Puglia. The zone of production of the area, elevated to DOC status in 1972, is limited to the communes of Ostuni, Carovigno, San Vito dei Normanni, San Michele Salentino and parts of the communes of Brindisi,...
.
Origin
An Italian study published in 2008 using DNA typing showed a close genetic relationship between SangioveseSangiovese
Sangiovese is a red Italian wine grape variety whose name derives from the Latin sanguis Jovis, "the blood of Jove"...
on the one hand and ten other Italian grape varieties on the other hand, including Susumaniello. It is therefore likely that Susumaniello is a crossing of Sangiovese and another, so far unidentified, grape variety.