2020 Produttori di Manduria Unconventional Primitivo Electric Bee

Region: Manduria < Puglia < Italy

Grapes: Primitivo

Vineyard/Cellar Stats: Organic farming, 3E certified (by Equalitas, for farming + carbon footprint + fair trade practices); fermented/aged in stainless steel, bottled with minimal added SO2; 13.5% ABV

Naturally made, fresh, balanced Primitivo at a BBQ party price point!

So Primitivo is not normally on our radar, because, let's face it, Zinfandel's Italian cousin, Primitivo, often gets big, flabby and high-alcohol in the hot Puglian sun.  Yet we get the grapes juicy, carefree appeal.  So we were stoked to come across this 'Unconventional' bottle from Produttori di Manduria, the oldest co-op in Puglia.   Made up solely of tiny growers, 130 small estates who are held to the highest farming and operating standards in Italy — not only are they certified for organic farming practices, but the 3E certification also verifies labor and carbon footprint standards. 

We really appreciate the group's intention and commitment, and also how they've managed to make a well balanced, juicy Primitivo that doesn't knock you out.  Thanks to the growers' early picks and conscious efforts to maintain acidity, this wine is bright and refreshing, retaining acidity and also all of the ripe, juicy flavors for which Primitivo is known: juicy cherry, blackberry, zingy blueberry, black plum.  It makes the best BBQ wine -- pair with anything from the grill.