Primitivo di Manduria DOC / DOCG

Technical Summary

• Classifications: DOC (dry wines), DOCG (Dolce Naturale sweet wine)
• Legal status: Protected Designations of Origin under EU wine regulations
• Country: Italy
• Region: Puglia (Apulia)
• Geographic scope: Communes around Manduria and Taranto provinces in Salento
• Core products: Dry red wines; Dolce Naturale (naturally sweet DOCG)

Hierarchy:

1. Primitivo di Manduria Dolce Naturale DOCG: Sweet wines from late-harvest/dried grapes
2. Primitivo di Manduria DOC Riserva: Extended aging
3. Primitivo di Manduria DOC: Standard dry red

Verified Constraints:

• Minimum 85% Primitivo (Zinfandel)
• DOC minimum alcohol: 13.5% ABV
• Dolce Naturale DOCG: Minimum 16% natural potential alcohol; minimum 50 g/L RS
• Maximum yield: 90 hl/ha (DOC)

Regulatory Constraints (Verified)

Ampelographic Composition

Principal variety (mandatory):

• Primitivo: Minimum 85%

Complementary varieties (authorized):

• Other authorized red varieties: Up to 15%
• Negroamaro, Montepulciano commonly used

Style Definitions

Primitivo di Manduria DOC:

• Minimum alcohol: 13.5% ABV
• Dry style (<4 g/L RS typically)
• Standard release

Primitivo di Manduria DOC Riserva:

• Minimum alcohol: 14% ABV
• Minimum aging: 24 months (including 9 months in wood)
• Extended aging in oak

Primitivo di Manduria Dolce Naturale DOCG:

• Minimum natural potential alcohol: 16% ABV
• Minimum residual sugar: 50 g/L
• Natural sweetness (no fortification; no added sugar)
• Grapes dried on vine or post-harvest (appassimento)
• DOCG status (highest tier)

Yield Limits

• DOC standard: 90 hl/ha (9,000 kg/ha)
• DOCG Dolce Naturale: 60 hl/ha (lower due to drying)
• Quality producers: Often 50-70 hl/ha

Minimum Alcohol

• DOC base: 13.5% ABV
• DOC Riserva: 14% ABV
• DOCG Dolce Naturale: 16% natural potential; minimum 13% actual

Aging Requirements

DOC Riserva:

• Minimum 24 months total aging
• Minimum 9 months in wood (oak)

DOCG Dolce Naturale:

• Minimum 6 months aging

Enological Implications

Evidence-backed:

• Primitivo (Zinfandel) produces very high sugar musts (28-32°Brix possible)
• Mediterranean climate: Hot, dry; early ripening (hence “Primitivo”)
• High alcohol wines common (14-17% ABV)
• Uneven ripening (same as Zinfandel) creates raisining
• Sandy and limestone soils; phylloxera never devastated (own-rooted vines exist)

Operational observation:

• Fermentation management critical for high-sugar musts
• Extended maceration for structure
• Oak integration for premium wines
• Volatile acidity risk in very ripe fruit
• Old-vine plantings (alberello) produce concentrated wines
• Night harvesting standard (heat management)

Frequent Compliance Risks

• Primitivo minimum: 85% required; blending limited
• Alcohol minimums: 13.5% (DOC), 14% (Riserva), 16% potential (Dolce Naturale)
• Dolce Naturale classification: Must achieve 16% potential naturally; high RS required
• Aging claims: Riserva requires 24 months aging verification
• Geographic boundaries: Only authorized communes qualify

Comparison with California Zinfandel

Parameter	Primitivo di Manduria	California Zinfandel
Climate	Mediterranean, hot	Mediterranean, warm to hot
Style	Powerful, dried fruit, earthy	Ripe, jammy, pepper
Alcohol	13.5-17%+	14-17%+
Sweet style	Dolce Naturale (traditional)	Late harvest (rare)
Regulations	DOC/DOCG limits	AVA more permissive

Relevant Grape Varieties

• Primitivo (Zinfandel) - principal variety (85% minimum)
• Negroamaro - blending option
• Montepulciano - blending option

References

• Consorzio Tutela Primitivo di Manduria (2018). “Disciplinare di Produzione.” https://www.consorziotutelaprimitivo.com

• European Commission (2024). “eAmbrosia - EU Geographical Indications Register: Primitivo di Manduria.” https://ec.europa.eu/agriculture/eambrosia

• Italian Ministry of Agriculture (2018). “Primitivo di Manduria DOC/DOCG Regulations.” Link

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Last Updated: January 6, 2026