Hi friends! This week on the podcast, we’re still daydreaming about Italy as the Ultimate Girls’ Trip is booking up.

On the second half of the trip, we’ll be visiting a multigenerational vineyard in Puglia to tour and sample some wines native to the region, so I thought, what better way to get in the mood for this amazing getaway than to prepare our palates for some Italian wine?!

One of my closest buddies who I first met back in my news reporting and anchoring days is Alison Morris Roslyn. She herself had an insane media career, most recently as an anchor at MSNBC. She’s also worked for the Wall Street Journal, Hartford Courant, and multiple local news outlets in Pittsburgh, Hartford, and New York City.

But these days, she’s living a different life outside of the media bubble as a Level 3 Sommelier and the founder of Francey Not Fancy, an “approachable wine consultancy” (how genius is this idea?!) that’s all about educating people on what wines are best for what. She’s worked with individuals all the way up to huge companies.

In this podcast episode, Alison is helping us get in the mood for a springtime getaway to Puglia by running us through two types of wine native to the region: Primitivo and Negroamaro. Here are some key takeaways, but listen to the full episode to hear all the details!

Alison Morris Roslyn of Francey Not Fancy on Two Native Apulian Wines: Primitivo and Negroamaro

The Basics: Primitivo

• Primitivo is a red wine grape that is similar to zinfandel but with a more robust and jammy flavor profile.
• Primitivo wines tend to have a higher alcohol content, often around 15% ABV.
• The wines are typically fruit-forward, with notes of cherry, blackberry, and sometimes tobacco or spice.
• Primitivo has a rustic, earthy quality to it due to the warm climate where it is grown in the Puglia region of Italy.
• These full-bodied red wines pair well with hearty dishes like grilled meats, pasta with meat sauces, and rich cheese plates.
• Primitivo is considered one of the signature wines of the Salento peninsula in southern Italy, where the grape is extensively planted.

The Basics: Negroamaro

• Negroamaro is another red wine grape that is native to the Puglia region of Italy, particularly the Salento peninsula.
• The name “Negroamaro” translates to “black and bitter” which describes the wine’s deep, dark color and slightly bitter flavor profile.
• Negroamaro wines often have a floral, perfumed aroma, in addition to earthy, rustic notes.
• The wines can be bottled as a single varietal or blended with other grapes like Malvasia Nera.
• Negroamaro tends to have a medium to full-bodied mouthfeel and moderate alcohol levels, around 13 to 14% ABV.
• These wines pair well with grilled meats, hearty pasta dishes, and aged cheeses due to their bold, structured character.
• Negroamaro is considered one of the signature grape varieties of the Salento region, along with Primitivo.

Check out Alison’s suggestions on what to pair with Primitivo and Negroamaro below!