Notardomenico

The Notardomenico grape is an ancient red grape variety native to the Brindisi area in the southern Italian region of Puglia. Although this indigenous grape has been cultivated in the region for centuries, it remains relatively unknown and is grown on limited vineyard surfaces, making it one of Italy’s rarest and most intriguing native grapes.

Despite its long-standing presence, Notardomenico is typically grown and vinified as part of a blend rather than on its own. It is most commonly paired with Ottavianello, another local variety from Brindisi, to which it lends its intense aromatic profile. In fact, Notardomenico is known to dominate blends with its bold olfactory expression, often overpowering its blending partner in terms of aroma.

The first known mention of the Notardomenico grape appears in the 1877 viticultural essay by Italian ampelographer Giovanni Di Rovasenda, although, interestingly, he does not provide a detailed description of the variety. The origin of the grape’s unusual and distinctive name remains a mystery to this day, adding to the allure and enigma surrounding it.

Notardomenico berries are black-skinned, medium in size, and typically spheroid but uneven in shape. The skin is thin, tender, and covered with a waxy bloom, displaying a deep violet-red colour at full ripeness. The grape clusters are medium in size and can be conical or cylindrical, sometimes winged. They may be loosely packed or moderately compact, depending on vineyard conditions.

The vine exhibits medium vigour and reaches maturity at a medium-late stage of the harvest season. While Notardomenico is not known for exceptionally high yields, it provides a consistent and decent level of production under the right conditions. The leaf is medium in size, pentagonal or orbicular in shape, and lobed—typical of many traditional Italian grape varieties.

As of now, Notardomenico is not vinified as a monovarietal wine, meaning there are no commercially available wines made purely from this grape. Due to this, there is no detailed organoleptic profile or formal tasting notes describing a 100% Notardomenico wine. However, its contribution to blends - particularly in conjunction with Ottavianello - suggests that it offers a significant aromatic lift, with pronounced and expressive fragrances that bring depth and complexity to the final product.