Masseria Li Veli "Askos" Verdeca 2024

Verdeca is an indigenous white grape variety from Southern Italy, primarily grown in Puglia’s Valle d’Itria region. Historically overshadowed by more famous local grapes like Primitivo and Negroamaro, Verdeca was mostly used in blends to add acidity and freshness. Today, thanks to renewed interest from producers spotlighting native varieties, Verdeca is gaining recognition as a stand-alone grape, celebrated for its crispness and mineral-driven character.

This grape thrives in the limestone-rich, calcareous soils typical of Valle d’Itria and nearby areas such as Basilicata and Calabria. It favors higher-altitude vineyards (around 350–430 meters), where cooler nights and coastal breezes help preserve its natural acidity and vibrant aromatics. Verdeca buds and ripens mid-season, with thick skins that provide good resistance to disease, making it well-suited for sustainable and low-intervention farming. However, careful vineyard management is essential to avoid overcropping and maintain concentration.

Wines made from Verdeca tend to be light to medium-bodied with bright acidity and a fresh, vibrant profile. Aromas typically include citrus fruits like lemon and grapefruit, green apple, and delicate white flowers, often complemented by subtle herbal notes reminiscent of Mediterranean herbs such as chamomile. A hallmark of Verdeca wines is their distinctive mineral and saline edge—an expression of the region’s unique terroir.

On the palate, Verdeca offers a crisp, clean, and refreshing experience with a medium finish. Its natural brightness and mineral character make it an excellent match for seafood, fresh cheeses, and light Mediterranean dishes, perfect for warm-weather sipping or food-friendly occasions.

If you enjoy Verdeca, you’ll likely appreciate other crisp, mineral-driven whites such as Albariño from Spain, Verdejo from Rueda, or Assyrtiko from Greece—wines known for their vibrant citrus, fresh herbs, and saline notes. Fans of aromatic, refreshing whites like Torrontés (Argentina) or Vermentino (Italy/France) may also find Verdeca’s lively character appealing.

Tucked into the sun-soaked heel of Italy’s boot, the Valle d’Itria is one of the most distinctive winegrowing areas in Puglia. Though it’s called a “valley,” it’s technically a karstic depression—a bowl-like dip in the limestone-rich Murge Plateau, located between the Adriatic and Ionian coasts. This terrain is formed by the natural erosion of limestone over time, creating well-drained, mineral-rich soils that are ideal for quality winegrowing.

Situated at elevations of 350–430 meters, Valle d’Itria enjoys cooler nights, steady breezes from the Adriatic Sea, and a stark day-to-night temperature swing that helps preserve the freshness and aromatic intensity of white grapes like Verdeca. This highland setting stands in contrast to the hot, flat plains most associated with Puglia, making it a unique pocket for elegant, mineral-driven wines.

The area is dotted with whitewashed hill towns like Locorotondo and Martina Franca, famous not only for their trulli houses and postcard charm, but also for producing some of Puglia’s most expressive white wines. Historically, Verdeca was used as a blending grape in these towns’ local DOC wines, but producers like Masseria Li Veli are putting it center stage—bottling it solo to showcase its vibrant citrus fruit, floral complexity, and salty edge.

While the Askos Verdeca is labeled under the broader Puglia IGT designation for stylistic flexibility, its roots are firmly planted in Valle d’Itria. Thanks to its altitude, limestone soils, and cooler microclimate, this region offers a fresh, precise, and polished expression of Southern Italian white wine you might not expect—but won’t forget.