A Toast to Brindisi

The trip starts inOstuni(Brindisi Province), a splendidwhite city. Along the road fromFasanotoOstunithere are some lovely views of centuries-old olive trees surrounding the typical local farmsteads. These were once thriving agricultural centres, and some are still working as farms and as agritourism hotels and restaurants. This is one of the most popular areas of Puglia for tourists, who come here to relax and savour the traditional cuisine which is part of the warm local tradition of hospitality.Ostuniis the name of the first Doc wine on our trip today. The two local Ottavianello andSussumaniellogrape varieties are typical in this area: after years of neglect they have become popular again and are excellent wine grapes, sharing the limelight here withNegroamaroandMalvasia di Brindisi, used to make theBrindisi DocandSalice Salentino Docwines we meet in the next stage of the trip. From Ostuni we head south towards the sea. The rocky shore line gradually gives way to sand dunes beyond the olives and Mediterranean shrubs of theTorre Guaceto Marineand Nature Reserve – a real paradise for birds and sea animals. We  continue south towardsBrindisi, whose name in Italian means a “toast”. During the Crusades Brindisi was where ships full of soldiers  and wine left for the Holy Land. Legend has it that after a successful battle, the crusaders would raise their glasses to celebrate and drink “to Brindisi” in memory of their joy before leaving for war. Finally we move on toCellino San Marco,San DonaciandSan Pancrazio Salentino, to discover some of the most important wineries of the Upper Salento area. These small towns are mainly agricultural centres, where vines have flourished for thousands of years, pruned into the typical alberello pugliese form. This fascinating and elegant cultivation system is of Greek origin and is a living reminder of the ancient bond between man and nature. Le vigne di SammarcoCellino San Marco (Br)