Introduction: Schola Sarmenti — meaning "school of the vine" — is a family winery founded in Nardò, in the heart of Salento, by the Marra and Calabrese families. Their home is a restored 19th-century wine factory that had sat dormant for over 50 years before the families undertook a three-year renovation, returning its magnificent star-shaped vaults of tuff and Lecce stone to life. Their philosophy is built on two pillars: native varietals only, and old-vine, sustainably farmed fruit with minimal intervention. The Critèra is the entry point to that philosophy — a pure, unoaked Primitivo from young Guyot-trained vines, designed to showcase the variety's natural character without embellishment.

Terroir: Nardò sits inland in the province of Lecce, roughly 6 miles from the Ionian Sea, in the southernmost reach of Puglia's heel. The vineyards are sun-drenched and warm, with the limestone-rich soils and maritime breeze of coastal Salento shaping a wine of warmth and generosity. The Critèra draws from younger Guyot-trained vines — approximately 15 years old — planted at 4,200 vines per hectare, deliberately set apart from the estate's older alberello-trained parcels reserved for the more serious bottlings. The absence of oak aging is a deliberate choice to let the soil and sun speak without interference.

Appearance: Deep, vibrant ruby red — dense and richly colored in the glass, as Primitivo reliably delivers.

Nose: Sincere and expressive, with ripe cherry jam, dark plum, and dried fruit taking center stage alongside warm notes of cinnamon, clove, and anise. There is a characteristic sweetness to the bouquet that is distinctly Primitivo — generous and inviting without being jammy or overworked.

Palate: Fleshy and medium-to-full-bodied, with a satisfying fruit-forward core of ripe plum, cherry, and dark berry. Temperature-controlled stainless steel aging preserves the primary fruit and a pleasant natural freshness that tempers the variety's inherent warmth. The tannins are lively and present but wrapped in a soft, approachable texture, and the finish is long and warming with lingering spice and ripe pulp.

Finish: Long and richly fruited, with spice and dark fruit notes fading into a clean, dry close. The freshness that runs through the wine's core keeps the finish from feeling heavy despite the wine's natural concentration.

Food Pairings:
🥩 Meat: Grilled lamb chops with herbs, braised pork ribs with tomato and olives, or slow-cooked beef ragù over orecchiette
🥦 Vegetarian: Eggplant parmigiana, pasta al forno, or a hearty lentil and mushroom stew
🧀 Charcuterie Board: Aged Pecorino, sharp Caciocavallo, dried figs, marinated olives, and spicy soppressata

Overall Impression: The 2023 Critèra is Schola Sarmenti's expression of honest, everyday Primitivo — unoaked, fruit-driven, and built for the table rather than the cellar. It delivers genuine varietal character and regional warmth at a value price point, making it one of the more dependable bottles in its category. Serve at 61–64°F; drink now through 2026–2027.

Alcohol by Volume (ABV %): 13.5%
Farming Practices: Sustainable viticulture with organic practices; green harvesting used to concentrate fruit quality; hand-harvested; Guyot training at 4,200 vines per hectare; younger vines approximately 15 years old
Producer Name: Schola Sarmenti (Marra and Calabrese families)
Old World / New World: Old World
Country of Origin: Italy
Region: Salento IGT, Puglia — Nardò, Province of Lecce
Grape Varietals: Primitivo 100%
Vintage: 2023
Wine Style: Dry Red — Medium-to-full-bodied and fruit-forward, with a warm, ripe dark fruit profile typical of Salento Primitivo. Unoaked and approachable; built for immediate enjoyment with food rather than aging. 
Winemaking Techniques: Hand-harvested grapes laid into airy crates; vinification and aging entirely in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks to preserve primary fruit character and freshness; no oak contact
Pack Size: 750ml
Container Style: Glass bottle
Closure Style: Cork