What is susumaniello?

Susumaniello is a red wine grape variety native to the Puglia region of Italy. It is known for producing deeply colored, full-bodied red wines with high levels of acidity and tannins. The name "susumaniello" is believed to be a corruption of the term "somarello," which means "little donkey" in Italian and may refer to the grape's small, dark, and densely clustered berries.

Susumaniello was traditionally used as a blending grape in Puglia, but in recent years, there has been a renewed interest in cultivating it as a varietal wine. The wines made from susumaniello are often described as having intense flavors of black cherry, plum, and black pepper, with a hint of herbs and spices.

Susumaniello is considered a rare and indigenous grape variety of Italy, and efforts are underway to protect and promote its production. The grape is also grown in small quantities in other parts of the world, such as California and Australia, where it is gaining popularity among winemakers looking to experiment with different grape varieties.