L’Archetipo Radicale Puglia

L'Archetipo farms in Salento, in the south of Puglia, where Francesco Valentino Dibenedetto took the family estate from organic to biodynamic and then to a no-till, natural approach inspired by Japanese microbiology. Radicale is his take on Primitivo, the dark, sun-loving grape of the region, but made in a deliberately light and fresh style rather than the usual high-alcohol mould. At 10 percent alcohol it is picked early and made for easy drinking, with minimal intervention in the cellar and time in wood that adds structure rather than oak flavour. Natural fermentation with the grape's own yeasts and little or no added sulphur gives a wine focused on bright fruit and savoury detail. The colour is a deep ruby. The nose carries cherry and raspberry with the herbal nuances the source describes, a savoury thread of thyme and dried herbs running underneath. The palate is light, juicy and gently grippy, low in alcohol and easy to drink. Serve at 14 to 16 degrees, lightly chilled. It suits pork, roast chicken and tomato-based dishes.