The Spinello dei Falconi is “TopWine” for SlowWine 2024

SlowFood’s SlowWine Guide, since its inception, has always dedicated words of praise to Cupertinum Winery for the company’s commitment – oenological and social – and the high quality of its wines. And, if in the 2023 edition Negroamaro received the TopWine, in the 2024 edition (avalaible in bookstores from October) the “golden palm” has passed to the rosé Spinello dei Falconi Salento Igt, obtained from pure Negroamaro, which has now become one of the oenological symbols not only of the historic Copertino winery but of the entire Salento region. This new recognition has been  broadcasted by the editorial staff of SlowWine, precisely from Giancarlo Gariglio, its director.

Satisfied winemaker Giuseppe Pizzolante Leuzzi: “Both in Italy and abroad, we have always been a reality that gives security for the quality of its wines. Seriousness pays off in the long run, and thanks to this award we continue to enhance not only our wines but also the territory and its tourist and cultural riches.” President Francesco Trono adds that “our historic winery is in tune with the goals of ‘good, fair, clean’ of SlowFood, which has particular attention to the enhancement of the territory, the environment, and food and wine products, which is precisely why we are happy with this affirmation, which confirms the awards obtained in recent years: WineSpectator, Decanter, Joe Bastianich, Vinous, Vitae/AIS, Bibenda/FIS, Veronelli, Vinibuoni, etc.”

The Rosé of Salento according to Giuseppe Pizzolante Leuzzi. “Salento is the region where this method of winemaking has maintained the strongest ties to tradition. The winemaking originates from the ancient lacrima – obtained percolating liquid through the weaves of the burlap sacks that contained Negroamaro grapes – nowadays replaced by winemaking by hat-raising: after destemming, the crushed grapes are left to ferment and wait for the solid part, consisting of the skins, to rise on the surface, so to form what is known in the jargon as the cappello; at that point only the flower, the lightly colored must, is extracted, which finishes fermentation. Rosé is the wine of a night: in the span of a few hours it acquires its color characteristics, from coral pink to more subdued nuances. Versatility in food pairings, aromas, flavor and freshness are the main characteristics of this symbolic wine of Salento.”

“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!