Guides

Primitivo di Manduria: what it is and where to buy it

Updated 9 October 2026

Primitivo di Manduria is a DOC red wine made from Primitivo grapes grown around Manduria, in the provinces of Taranto and Brindisi: ripe, full-bodied and often high in alcohol. The sweet version has its own DOCG, Primitivo di Manduria Dolce Naturale. Online, the simplest route is Amazon: San Marzano's Sessantanni, from vines over sixty years old, is listed on Amazon.co.uk, .de, .fr and .it.

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The grape

Primitivo takes its name from its early ripening. DNA studies have shown it is the same variety as Californian Zinfandel and Croatian Crljenak Kaštelanski. In Puglia it is often grown as low bush vines (alberello), which concentrate the fruit.

Manduria or Gioia del Colle?

Manduria, on the plain near the Ionian Sea, gives warmer and riper wines. Gioia del Colle, on the Murgia plateau inland from Bari, is higher and cooler, and its Primitivo tends to be fresher. Trying one of each is the quickest way to understand the grape.

What to eat with it

A young Primitivo suits orecchiette with ragù, grilled meat and bombette, the stuffed pork rolls of the Valle d'Itria. Older Riserva wines go with roasts and aged cheeses.

Frequently asked questions

Is Primitivo the same as Zinfandel?
Yes. They are the same grape variety, confirmed by DNA analysis; the names reflect different places and winemaking traditions.
Is Primitivo di Manduria sweet?
The DOC wine is dry. The sweet version is a separate DOCG, Primitivo di Manduria Dolce Naturale.
Can I order Primitivo di Manduria to the UK?
Yes: San Marzano's Sessantanni and its Anniversario 62 Riserva are both on Amazon.co.uk.

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