{"title":"Castello Monaci","description":null,"products":[{"product_id":"castello-monaci-liante-salice-salentino","title":"Castello Monaci Liante Salice Salentino","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCastello Monaci Liante Salice Salentino\u003c\/strong\u003e is a 750ml, 13% ABV red wine from Puglia's Salice Salentino DOC, blending Negroamaro and Malvasia Nera. Rated 88 points by \u003cem\u003eWine Enthusiast\u003c\/em\u003e (2018 vintage, Alexander Peartree), it exemplifies what \u003cem\u003eThe Wine Advocate\u003c\/em\u003e has called \"an excellent source of value wines\" and a potential \"model for winemaking in Apulia.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eQuick Facts:\u003c\/strong\u003e ABV: 13%  |  Origin: Salice Salentino DOC, Puglia, Italy  |  Blend: 80% Negroamaro, 20% Malvasia Nera  |  Producer: Castello Monaci\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eProduction \u0026amp; Heritage\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCastello Monaci is rooted in the sun-drenched Salento peninsula of southern Puglia, where Negroamaro has been the dominant grape for centuries. The Liante bottling is built on a meticulous parcel-by-parcel approach: each vineyard block is cultivated, harvested, and vinified separately in small tanks to preserve site-specific character. Crucially, all grapes are harvested at night, a practice that keeps fruit temperatures low and preserves aromatic freshness — a meaningful advantage in the warm Salentino climate. The result is a wine that captures both the ripeness and the structural integrity of the region's indigenous varieties.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eTasting Notes\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAroma:\u003c\/strong\u003e The nose opens with red berry jam and ripe plum, followed by layers of tomato paste, olive tapenade, and a gentle lift of vanilla. Underneath sits a subtle spice and herbal quality that speaks to the Negroamaro grape's savory personality.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTaste:\u003c\/strong\u003e On the palate, tart cherry and red plum arrive first, carried by zesty acidity that gives the medium-bodied frame real energy. The mid-palate broadens with mixed berry, cedar, and a thread of smoke, while the Malvasia Nera co-ferment adds aromatic complexity. There is noticeable textural grit and grip — fine-grained tannins that lend structure without heaviness.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFinish:\u003c\/strong\u003e The finish is juicy and moderately long, with bright red fruits, black cherry, and flinty, tar-like nuances lingering at the close. A subtle spice note returns as the wine fades, inviting the next sip.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eHow to Drink Liante Salice Salentino\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eServe at 16–18°C (61–64°F) in a standard red wine glass; thirty minutes of air after opening helps the savory aromatics unfold. A slight chill compared to full room temperature keeps the acidity lively and the fruit focused.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePasta alla Norma pairing:\u003c\/strong\u003e The wine's tart cherry acidity cuts through rich eggplant and tomato beautifully. \u003cstrong\u003eGrilled lamb chops:\u003c\/strong\u003e Smoky, herbal meat flavors mirror the cedar and spice notes in the mid-palate. \u003cstrong\u003eMargherita pizza:\u003c\/strong\u003e The tomato-paste and olive-tapenade character in the wine echoes classic Neapolitan flavors, creating an effortless match.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eBest For\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWeeknight Italian dinners where you want a serious wine without a serious price tag\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIntroducing friends to southern Italian indigenous grapes like Negroamaro\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSummer grilling sessions — the juicy acidity pairs well with charred meats and vegetables\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBuilding a case of everyday Mediterranean reds for the cellar\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat does Liante Salice Salentino taste like?\u003c\/strong\u003e It delivers ripe cherry and red plum supported by zesty acidity, with savory layers of cedar, smoke, olive tapenade, and fine-grained tannins on a medium-bodied frame.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow does Liante compare to Taurino Notarpanaro?\u003c\/strong\u003e Both are Negroamaro-dominant blends from Puglia — Taurino Notarpanaro uses 85% Negroamaro to Liante's 80% and tends toward a more austere, traditionally styled profile. Liante leans into brighter fruit and aromatic freshness, partly due to Castello Monaci's night-harvesting regimen.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs Liante good for everyday drinking?\u003c\/strong\u003e Yes — its 13% ABV, medium body, and food-friendly acidity make it an approachable red that rewards casual weeknight enjoyment without demanding extended decanting or cellaring.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhere is Liante Salice Salentino made?\u003c\/strong\u003e It is produced by Castello Monaci in the Salice Salentino DOC, located in the Salento peninsula of Puglia in southern Italy, one of Italy's most historically important zones for Negroamaro.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat foods pair well with Liante?\u003c\/strong\u003e Grilled lamb chops complement the wine's smoky, herbal notes. Eggplant parmigiana mirrors its tomato-like savory character. Hard aged cheeses like Pecorino match the tannic grip. Orecchiette with sausage ragù balances the bright acidity, and cured salumi such as capocollo echoes the wine's spice and earthiness.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat sizes does Liante come in?\u003c\/strong\u003e Castello Monaci Liante Salice Salentino is available in the standard 750ml bottle.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs Liante worth the price?\u003c\/strong\u003e It positions firmly in the value tier for DOC-level southern Italian reds, delivering parcel-selected, night-harvested fruit and consistent critical scores in the high-80s — a strong return relative to its modest price point.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eWhy Liante?\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNight harvesting and individual parcel vinification are production details more commonly associated with premium-tier wines, yet Castello Monaci applies them here at an accessible price. The 88-point \u003cem\u003eWine Enthusiast\u003c\/em\u003e score and \u003cem\u003eWine Advocate\u003c\/em\u003e praise for the estate confirm this is not generic bulk Puglia red. For drinkers exploring Negroamaro — one of Italy's great undervalued grapes — Liante is a reliable entry point that shows real regional character: savory, fruit-driven, structured, and unmistakably southern Italian.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Castello Monaci","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44836846108841,"sku":"21127","price":17.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0680\/1024\/6313\/files\/castello-monaci-castello-monaci-liante-salice-salentino-bottle.webp?v=1777297648"}],"url":"https:\/\/theliquorbarn.com\/collections\/castello-monaci.oembed","provider":"The Liquor Barn","version":"1.0","type":"link"}