Verso Rosso

Verso Rosso is a full-bodied Italian red blend from Puglia's Salento IGT region, bottled at 14% ABV in a standard 750ml format. Produced by Casa Contini using the labor-intensive appassimento technique, this wine earned 89 points from Wine Enthusiast (2019 vintage, reviewed by Alexander Peartree) and a Silver medal at the Vinalies Internationales (2016 vintage).

Quick Facts: ABV: 14%  |  Origin: Salento IGT, Puglia, Italy  |  Style: Full-Bodied Red Blend  |  Producer: Casa Contini

Production & Heritage

Casa Contini produces Verso Rosso in the sun-drenched Salento sub-region of southern Puglia. The blend centers on Negroamaro, Primitivo, and Malvasia Nera — three grape varieties deeply rooted in the winemaking traditions of Italy's heel. A portion of the grapes undergoes appassimento, a process in which harvested fruit is left to partially dry and raisinate, concentrating sugars and flavor compounds before fermentation. Fermentation takes place in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks, preserving varietal freshness and fruit intensity. The wine then matures for six months in oak barrels, followed by three months in stainless steel and an additional three months of bottle aging before release — a regimen that builds complexity without overwhelming the fruit character.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with anise cookies and cherry cordial, giving way to crushed mentholated herbs and dried flowers. Deeper layers reveal figs, cloves, vanilla, and a lift of red berries with black peppercorn.

Taste: The entry is juicy and silky across a medium-to-full-bodied palate. Ripe blackberries and plums dominate mid-palate, joined by tangy and sweet berry fruit wrapped in warm baking spices and a thread of licorice. Soft, well-integrated tannins provide structure without heaviness.

Finish: The finish is moderately long with good grip and lift, leaving behind dried fruit, subtle spice, and a hint of dark cocoa. The balanced acidity keeps the ending fresh rather than cloying.

How to Drink Verso Rosso

Serve at 60–65°F (16–18°C) to let the appassimento richness unfold without losing aromatic nuance. A few minutes of air in the glass opens up the spice and dried-fruit layers. Verso Rosso also works well in cocktails: a Sangria Roja, where its concentrated berry fruit and warm spice hold up against citrus and brandy; a Kalimotxo, where its full body and soft tannins balance the cola's sweetness; and a Mulled Wine, where the inherent clove, anise, and fig notes naturally amplify classic mulling spice aromatics.

Best For

• Weeknight Italian dinners featuring hearty pasta or braised meats
• Introducing Amarone-curious drinkers to the appassimento style at an accessible price point
• Gifting a wine enthusiast who appreciates southern Italian reds
• Fall and winter dinner parties where bold, warming reds are in order

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Verso Rosso taste like? Verso Rosso delivers ripe blackberry and plum fruit with warm spice, anise, and licorice undertones, all supported by silky tannins and a juicy, medium-to-full-bodied palate. The appassimento process adds dried-fruit concentration and a subtle fig-like richness.

How does Verso Rosso compare to Amarone? Both wines use the appassimento technique of partially drying grapes to concentrate flavors, which gives Verso Rosso a similar richness and heady aromatic profile. However, Amarone della Valpolicella is produced in the Veneto from Corvina-based blends and typically commands a significantly higher price, while Verso Rosso achieves comparable concentration from Puglia's Negroamaro and Primitivo at a more accessible value tier.

Is Verso Rosso good for sipping neat? Absolutely — its silky texture, balanced acidity, and layered spice make it a satisfying glass on its own, especially when served slightly below room temperature. The Wine Enthusiast review specifically praised the wine as "a balanced offering" with good lift and grip.

Where is Verso Rosso made? Verso Rosso is produced by Casa Contini in the Salento IGT zone of Puglia, the southernmost mainland region of Italy. Salento occupies the heel of the Italian peninsula, where warm Mediterranean conditions yield ripe, concentrated red grapes.

What foods pair well with Verso Rosso? Slow-braised lamb shanks complement the wine's dried-fruit depth and spice. Orecchiette with sausage ragù echoes its southern Italian roots. Aged pecorino cheese mirrors the wine's tannic structure. Eggplant Parmigiana balances its fruit-forward richness, and wood-fired pizza with soppressata plays well against the smoky, peppery undertones.

What sizes does Verso Rosso come in? Verso Rosso is widely available in the standard 750ml bottle format.

Is Verso Rosso worth the price? Verso Rosso positions as a value-tier expression within the appassimento category, delivering the concentrated fruit and spice complexity typically associated with more expensive Amarone-style wines. For drinkers seeking full-bodied southern Italian reds with genuine winemaking technique behind them, it represents strong value for money.

Why Verso Rosso?

The defining differentiator is the appassimento method — a labor-intensive drying process that reduces grape yields but intensifies flavor concentration, a technique more commonly associated with premium Amarone production in the Veneto. Verso Rosso translates that approach into Puglia's indigenous varieties, creating a wine with dried-fruit depth and structural elegance that punches above its price class. The 89-point score from Wine Enthusiast and a Vinalies Internationales Silver medal confirm the quality is more than anecdotal. For anyone drawn to rich, spice-laden Italian reds who wants serious winemaking craft without the Amarone price tag, this Salento blend makes a compelling case.