Puglia
DECEMBER 2025
Photo credit — view of Taranto from the Appian Way
This month we are featuring two reds from Puglia, Italy's heel of the boot — specifically vineyards around the maritime city of Taranto on the Ionian Sea (west coast of Puglia near the border to Basilicata).
Puglia has a Mediterranean climate, which means hot and dry in the summer, cold and wet in the winter. It's relatively flat and greatly impacted by winds that come off the surrounding seas. Olive oil is the region's biggest crop. Other crops include grains, eggplant, tomatoes & artichokes. As well, seafood is an important component of Puglian cuisine.
With respect to wine production, Puglia's most famous wines are the well-priced, easy-drinking reds — Negroamaro & Primitivo (both of which you are getting in your club). The region also produces many lesser-known, native grapes such as: Falanghina & Fiano (whites) and Aglianico, Bombino Nero and Nero di Troia (reds).
Photo credit — aerial view of Taranto city & harbor (below - top right)
Co-op wines from Taranto
Societa Agricola NAE produces the Trentacoste line of wines, including the Puglia Negroamaro IGT & Puglia Primitivo IGT included in your club. The company operates as a co-op of sorts, buying grapes from local growers and then overseeing the production and cellaring of the wines.
If you're curious about Taranto and the winelands around it, this Visit Puglia website is great (and gets credit for the 6 photos above): 1 = the Swinging Bridge of Tarano, 2 = the Temple of Poseidon (Greek ruins), 3 & 4 = streets in the historic district of the city, 5 & 6 = the Aragonese Castle, and they have many more!
Trentacoste 2024 Negroamaro • Puglia, Italy • Reg $19.99 | Wine Club $16.99 | Mixed Case $13.59
100% Negroamaro. Dark earth, sand, berries. Dark plums, black cherries, blackberries on the palate. Beautiful wine. Well-balanced. Terrific acidity. Fun, dry finish with a note of licorice. Absolutely great for the price. Drink now to 2 years. Enjoy with eggplant parmesan!
Trentacoste 2024 Primitivo • Puglia, Italy • Reg $19.99 | Wine Club $16.99 | Mixed Case $13.59
100% Primitivo. Beautiful nose! Black cherries, spicy dark plums, herbal notes. Fuller-bodied (coats your mouth) and then you feel the acidity tingling on your tongue. Smooth, spicy finish. Delightful wine. Drink now to 2 years. Pizza all the way!
A Note from Jens:
Your wine club pickup tasting is always the 2nd Saturday of the month. Join to taste and learn about your club wines before enjoying them at home. This month's Puglian reds are terrific for the money, and it's fun and interesting to learn a little about the Taranto region of Puglia.
You'll also be able to taste the FLAGSHIP club wines. Our December theme is Burgundy, featuring a Bourgogne Blanc from a Chablis producer and two Pinot Noir, one from near Savigny-lès-Beaune (Côte de Beaune) and the other from just outside of Givry (Côte Chalonnaise). These are don't-miss wines!
Cheers,
Jens Strecker, Owner
Portalis Wine Shop
If you are here because you’re curious about our wine clubs: Here’s more general info & online sign-up. You can also peruse the last 12 months of both clubs to get a feel for the themes we pick and the wines we showcase: Portalis EXPLORES (our everyday wine club) & Portalis FLAGSHIP (our signature club).