Oltreme Susumaniello 2015 750 ml

Soul of Salento, tradition of Brindisi: it is in this specific area of Puglia that the black grape variety Susumaniello has found its ideal home. Its true origins can possibly be traced further back to an import from ancient Dalmatia, but to this day experts have not come up with a definitive answer. What we know for sure, however, is the unique character of this exceptional grape, and the origin of its name.

Also known as Somarello, Zuzomaniello, Cozzomaniello, Susumaniello is renowned for the very generous yields produced by this vine in the early years, an abundance of clusters which weigh down the plant like a donkey (‘somarello’ literally means ‘small donkey’ in Italian). Despite its notorious hardiness and resistance to pathogens, for many years Susumaniello was on the verge of falling into oblivion, until Tenute Rubino recovered it, enhancing its versatility and making it the emblem of its production philosophy.

With every harvest Susumaniello’s bountiful yields tend to decrease significantly coming down to just below 1 kg per plant on average. It is precisely when Susumaniello’s yields decline, however, that the vine reveals all its extraordinary qualities, giving life to black-bluish grapes from which wines of great structure and highly concentrated aromas can be obtained.