Copertino Doc of Cupertinum Best Red Wine of Puglia

Vino Salento Copertino DOC Riserva

“A winery that has returned prestige to the Apulian cooperative vitiviniculture … Also this year a repertoire of very rare quality wines”. The 2019 L’Espresso Guide – directed by Enzo Vizzari and, for the enological part, coordinated by Andrea Grignaffini – rewards the Copertino Doc Rosso Riserva of Cupertinum as Best Rosso di Puglia, together with two others, and acknowledging it among the Top 100s in Italy .

Giuseppe Pizzolante Leuzzi, since 2010 winemaker of the historic winery of Copertino, does not hide the satisfaction: “We are honored that the quality and renewal project carried out with commitment in these nine years by Cupertinum’s growner members, staff and governance, is  collecting the most prestigeous awards. The commitment continues, but the successes help to work with more motivation!”.

The Guide writes on the Copertino Doc Rosso Riserva 2010: “it is Incredible how the Cupertinum manages to define its wines: from negroamaro and black malvasia vines, grown as Apulian sampling and arranged in quinquonce, to contemporary sensations of graphite and tar alternating the nostalgia of a wild rosemary. This wine has a seductive and passionate beauty, a disarming power that dissolves all tension”.

And about the Cupertinum: “A winery that has given back prestige to the Apulian co-op vitiviniculture, almost in the middle of the Salento peninsula, halfway between the Ionian and the Adriatic seas, between the Gulf of Taranto and the Strait of  Otranto. Conditio sine qua non for lovers of the most traditional Negroamaro, with beautiful orange nuances, aromas of oxidative brand,  and no alcohol excess. Also this year, a repertoire of very rare quality wines “.

Francesco Trono, Cupertinum President, is also satisfied: “We are doing everything we can to promote winegrowing, agriculture and territory. We now are acnoeldged also by the best experts. But it is important that the local community also understands that the Winert is a reality that must be supported. The consumer can become a sensitive consumer, who goes one step further than the pleasure of drinking excellent wines: s/he understands that buying a product is helpig the territory and its economy. Then the virtuous circuit can be closed “.

“I see confirmation and surprises in the new 2026 wine guides for our wines. With these awards, Cupertinum confirms its status as a company of excellence, reliable over time, dynamic in identifying new goals and achieving them,” says Francesco Trono, president of Cupertinum. Winemaker Giuseppe Pizzolante Leuzzi, now accustomed to the awards that come flooding in year after year, is also satisfied: “The focus on quality and modern winemaking that respects tradition is understood and rewarded. These awards reward the members, the winery’s workers, and the territory.”

 Here is a brief list of recent awards and prizes received by Cupertinum wines:

  • Cupertinum has been included among the best Italian wineries in Hugh Johnson’s Pocket Wine Book guide to wines from around the world. The renowned guide, edited by Margaret Rand, recommends: Copertino Riserva, Settantacinque, Spinello dei Falconi, and Negroamaro!
  • Danielle Callegari of Wine Enthusiast award: 92 points to Copertino Riserva DOC; 91 points to Primitivo Salento IGT: “two fantastic deals from this winery that confirm the high quality of the company’s labels.”
  • Wine Spectator awards Copertino Riserva DOC 2015: 89 points and Aldieri Primitivo Salento IGT 2021: 89 points (“well-elevated reds, medium-bodied, with light tannins,” says expert Eric Guido).
  • As far as international recognition is concerned, another great result is worth mentioning: the Gold Medal at the International Wine & Spirits Awards for COPERTINO RISERVA and POGGIANI Negroamaro.
  • Guida essenziale ai vini d’Italia (DoctorWine Daniele Cernilli )awards Copertino Riserva 92 points and Spibello dei Falconi 90 points.
  • The VITAE guide published by the Sommelier Association awards 4 VITI to Settantacinque Copertino and 3 VITI to Copertino Doc, Copertino Riserva, Poggiani Negroamaro, and Spinello dei Falconi. The sommeliers write: “wines of recognized and appreciated quality; the Negroamaro, in its various forms, represents the jewel in the crown.”
  • SlowWine: Cupertinum is featured in the SlowFood guide with the TopWine award for Spinello dei Falconi and a beautiful description that highlights the advantageous quality/price ratio, with accurate and complimentary organoleptic descriptions of all the wines.
  • The Touring Club’s Vinibuoni d’Italia guide awards our wines 4 stars to Copertino DOC Riserva, Copertino DOC and Spinello dei Falconi and 3 stars to Squarciafico Rosato and Settantacinque.
  • Bibenda, the guide published by the Italian Sommelier Foundation, awards Settantacinque, Copertino DOC Riserva, Aldieri Primitivo, and Poggiani Negroamaro with 4 Grappoli.
  • The Veronelli Guide awards 3 Red Stars to Settantacinque Copertino DOC and 2 Stars to all wines, with special mention to Spinello dei Falconi and all Copertino DOC wines.
  • The Il Golosario guide by Gatti/Massobrio names Primitivo as a Top Wine.

“Wine is the song of the earth to the sky” wrote the master of food and wine criticism Luigi Veronelli. It is worth repeating this for the awards given to Cupertinum wines!