A Mano
Mark Shannon and Elvezia Sbalchiero, the duo behind A Mano, have worked in...
the wine business for most of their lives. Elvezia is a northern Italian wine marketing expert and Mark is a Californian winemaker. They fell in love with Puglia and, when they decided to start their own label, made it their home. By producing wines of quality, Mark and Elvezia have succeeded in making Primitivo one of Italy's most talked about grape varieties. They pay high prices for the best grapes from 70-100 year old vines and focus solely on quality and a modern style. After over fifteen vintages, they are now getting access to some of Salento's best grapes.
Vineyards
The grapes for this blend are grown in vineyards located in the Salento peninsula of Puglia. Suitable vineyards need to be sought out because Rosato needs both colour and full flavour at lower ripeness, which is not typical of Puglia. The sandy vineyards are high up on the hillside, dry farmed and are over 30 years old.
Vintage Information
As has been well documented, 2014 was a challenging year for winemakers across Italy due to the constant and unusual summer rains. Hard work, flexibility and total commitment were needed in the vineyard to produce the desired quality, and the grapes that ripened well were from sandier soils with good drainage.
Vinification
On arrival at the winery, the grapes were crushed and immediately pressed. The contact time with the skins was measured in seconds, not hours. The grapes were processed as fast as possible in order to ensure that all the fruit flavours were preserved and colours kept under control. Solids were separated from the juice by an infusion of nitrogen under high pressure. The juice then underwent a slow two month fermentation at low temperatures of 7ºC in order to retain the delicate perfumes of the grapes.
Tasting Notes
Vibrant pink in colour, with notes of wild berries as well as a touch of orange blossom from the Aglianico. This delightful rosato has a delicious blackberry character on the palate with real complexity and bright fruit on the finish.
Vintage Information
| Vintage | 2014 |
| Grape varieties | 75% Primitivo 25% Aleatico |
| Region | Bari, Puglia |
| Winemaker | Mark Shannon |
| Alcohol (ABV) | 13% |
| Acidity | 6.31g/l |
| Residual Sugar | 5.8g/l |
| Wine pH | 3.36 |
Trade customers
Liberty Wines customers can order this wine directly from us.