With the arrival of the peloton onto the shores of Italy, we celebrate the much-anticipated return of /WORLD TOUR WINE/ !!

I have to say, I am VERY excited about our line-up for il Giro d'Italia. Attention payers may know that I favor French wine almost exclusively (supplementing with some Oregon/Cali Pinot and Chardonnay as well as German Riesling and Spatburgunder). Italy grows more wine than anywhere on the planet, has more varietals, more protected appellations, etc and I rarely venture into Bel Paese. So we will all be learning a lot here.

Today's wine is from the heart of heel, grown and vinified directly on the route of today's stage in Salento, Puglia. Puglia is known for a few different varietals, but primitivo (the Italian name for zinfandel) is the most popular. Interestingly, Burgers had previously thought that the Zinfandel grape was native to America but it turned out to be from clones of Italian Primitivo, where it travelled likely from Croatia originally. The relentless heat and flat terrain positively roasts the grapes, producing wines of uncommon concentration and alcoholic fire.

Tormaresca Torcicoda Primitivo del Salento 2021 ($31)

Torty minute decant. This pours a medium-deep ruby with dark core and red highlights. The viscosity is high. The nose reminds one of a lunch meal on a patio under a scorching southern Mediterranean sun - roasted tomatoes, plum and fig, sweet tobacco, pepper, Chinese five spice. The palate has a dry, fruity punch up front with plum and tomato. The mid palate is cocoa and tobacco, finishing with alcoholic burn and chocolate tannins. The acidity is low.

This is rich and a bit ungainly with such a wallop of hot booze on the finish. I wish it had some acidity or minerality to balance what is almost a port-like profile. But it is complex and pleasant. Very nice!