A different way to discover Salento, the heel of Italy
By: Lia Contesso
Submitted: 2011-07-19 08:27:34 | Word Count: 562
Salento is an area of the Puglia region with a character of its own, with specific traditions and a variety of places and products that make it a must-see destination for every lover of the sea, the food and, most of all, fine Italian wines.
Land of the production of many varieties of wine, Salento is also known as the "heel of Italy" since it is positioned at the very edge of the boot shaped peninsula. It is in the southern part of Puglia, between the Ionic and the Adriatic Sea. Salento covers territories from the provinces of Lecce, Brindisi and Taranto, who share some common cultural traits like the language dialect.
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During the summer the beaches and most touristic towns of Salento are full of visitors, specially English ones that attracted by the beautiful sea have made of this area their new Tuscany. However, there is another way to discover the many qualities of this Italian region, a more original and relaxing way, ideal for those who wish to deeply know and appreciate the goods of this welcoming, fertile and engaging land.
The suggestion is that of reaching the most charming towns by visiting the winemakers and oil producers who are the representation of the two most important industries of the area and who have brought popularity to Salento in all international markets.
By staying in the typical masserie, traditional fortified houses of Sicilian style, one is able to discover from the hands of the local population, the gastronomic specialties of the region: vegetables and fish, but also horse meat become the stars of dishes that are best served with white, red and rosé wines like Bianco Salento or Primitivo Manduria. A great variety of breads and ciambelle are also typical from Salento, including those with the olives that deliver the most precious good of the region: olive oil.
The agricultural sector is the region's economic engine and the companies that produce wine and oil are the main representatives of the quality of the land's products. They extend in vast vineyards and olive tree fields that create breathtaking sights reserved only for the eyes of the people who decide to discover Salento from a different point of view, a more exciting one that goes well beyond the Sun&Sand tourism.
The main places to visit are the ones with DOC and DOCG (Denomination of Origin and Denomination of Guaranteed Origin): Alezio, Copertino, Galatina, Leverano, Matino, Nardò, Salice Salentino and Squinzano. The most widely recognized wines of Salento are from the vineyards of Malvasia Nera, Negroamaro and Primitvo located in these towns.The wine cellars and cantines will open their doors to visitors with the pleasure that comes from dedicating their life to their greatest passion and will introduce even the novices to the white, rosé, chardonnay and red wines accompanied by the most delicious traditional recipes.
A trip to Salento would not be complete without this itinerary that profits from the richness of the land and that is sure to stay in your memory forever as will stay the beauty of the infinite vineyards and the piece of paradise that is the Baia dell'Orte, between Otranto and Alezio.
