Masseria Li Veli, Askos, Susumaniello, Salento, Italy, 2021

The bottling name, Askos, is greek for Decanter and was named as such to showcase a selection of ancient Apulian grapes which are almost disappearing, cultivated in their most suitable terroir. The vineyard is located in Cellino San Marco, Brindisi within the Salento I.G.T., and the vines grow upon beds of clay-limestone. The grapes are manually selected on a rolling table before de-stemming and crushing. Fermentation is done under controlled temperature between 27° and 31°C, to preserve as much as possible the original aromatic qualities of the fruit. Malolactic fermentation occurs in oak, and the wine ages in oak for 9 months before bottling.