Susumaniello is a red wine grape native to Italy where it is found in Puglia. It can also be called: Somarello, Susumariello Nero and Zingariello.
Where grown: Puglia, mainly in the countryside around Bari and Brindisi.
Wines: Susumaniello can be used as a minor blending partner in wines made from Negro Amaro. Monovarietal wines are rare; they are allowed in the Brindisi DOC and Squinzano DOC wines.
Viticulture: Medium sized bunches and berries. Very high vigour and productivity (especially in the !rst 10-15 years).
Wine style: ‘Susumaniello has a distinct balsamic cherry note in the fruitiness,’ Ole Udsen told me (14th June 2015). It can be used as a minor blending partner in wines made from Negro Amaro. Susumaniello can be rough and tannic when young. With six to eight years of bottle age it softens and becomes smooth and stylish. It is characterized by plenty of dark-cherry and plum aromas and flavours.
Bibliography
Italian Wine Unplugged (Positive Press, 2017), p.208-9.