Wines
Negroamaro
Wine style and varietal guide
Reviewed by the WhatDrink Editorial TeamSuggest a correction
- Red
- Red • Dry
- 12–14.5% ABV
- Medium-Full body
- Dry sweetness
- medium acidity
Is this for me?
Choose this if…
- ✓You prefer dry, crisp wines without residual sweetness.
- ✓You want a full-bodied, rich wine to pair with hearty food.
Skip if…
- ✗You prefer sweeter or off-dry wines.
- ✗You prefer lighter, more delicate wine styles.
At a Glance
12–14.5%ABV
DrySweetness
mediumAcidity
MediumTannin
Medium-FullBody
16°CServe
Nutrition values are style-level estimates. Actual values vary by producer and serving size. How we calculate this →
On this page
What is Negroamaro?
A full-bodied red wine with high tannins and flavors of dark fruit, spices, and licorice.
Taste profile
Dry sweetnessmedium acidityMedium tanninsMedium-Full bodyEarthyBlack FruitSpicyTannic
Sensory profile
DrynessSweet – Bone dry
TanninSoft – Grippy
AcidityFlat – Crisp
FruitinessEarthy – Fruity
BoldnessDelicate – Bold
Beginner-friendlyAcquired taste – Easy intro
- Style: Red
- ABV range: 12–14.5%
- Medium-Full body
- Dry sweetness
- Body
- Medium-Full
- Sweetness
- Dry
- Acidity
- medium
- Tannin
- Medium
- Earthy · medium intensity — Negroamaro can show earthy southern Italian character.
- Black Fruit · high intensity — Negroamaro commonly shows dark fruit character.
- Spicy · low intensity — Negroamaro can show spice notes.
- Tannic · medium intensity — Negroamaro commonly has tannic structure.
Based on structured style profile and canonical flavor relationships.
Grape & region
- Grape varieties
- Negroamaro
- Region(s)
- Puglia, Salento
- Country
- Italy
- Sweetness
- Dry
- Skin contact
- Extended red-wine skin contact
How it’s made
- Method
- Red wine made from Negroamaro grapes, fermented on skins for dark fruit, earthy bitterness and medium-to-full body; oak use varies.
How to serve
- Serving temperature
- 16°C
- Glassware
- Bordeaux glass
When to serve
DinnerSavoury foodRed
Dietary
How Negroamaro fits common dietary preferences (general guidance — always check the specific producer).
- Vegetarian
- Gluten-Free
Alternatives to try
Reviewed style alternatives
- NortonBoth red styles; similar sweetness (dry); medium-full body.
- PrimitivoBoth red styles; similar sweetness (dry); medium-full body.
- AglianicoBoth red styles; similar sweetness (dry); shared tannic, black fruit, earthy notes.
- Alicante BouschetBoth red styles; similar sweetness (dry); shared tannic, black fruit, earthy notes.
- Bordeaux BlendBoth red styles; similar sweetness (dry); shared tannic, black fruit, earthy notes.
Style alternatives preserve drink-family context but can change sweetness, acidity, bitterness, body, aroma or alcohol range.
Frequently asked questions
- What is Negroamaro?
- A full-bodied red wine with high tannins and flavors of dark fruit, spices, and licorice.
- What does Negroamaro taste like?
- Negroamaro is often described as Earthy, Black Fruit, Spicy, Tannic. Flavour intensity varies by region, producer and vintage.
- What foods pair with Negroamaro?
- Negroamaro pairs well with Charcuterie, Cheese Board, Roast Meat, Steak. Food pairing suggestions are based on complementary flavour profiles.
- How strong is Negroamaro?
- Negroamaro typically has an ABV of 12–14.5%. Strength varies by producer and vintage.
- When should I drink Negroamaro?
- Negroamaro works well as an aperitif, with a meal, or as a standalone sipping wine. The ideal occasion depends on the body and sweetness level — lighter styles suit casual dining while fuller-bodied wines complement heartier dishes.
- What wines are similar to Negroamaro?
- If you enjoy Negroamaro, explore other wine styles with a similar body and flavour profile using the sensory bars as a guide. Wines with matching acidity and tannin scores will feel closest in character.
- Does Negroamaro improve with age?
- Cellaring potential for Negroamaro depends on the producer, vintage and storage conditions. Most everyday expressions are best enjoyed within 3–5 years of release. Premium examples may benefit from longer ageing — check producer notes for guidance.
- What do the sensory profile dimensions mean?
- Sensory profile dimensions describe key flavour characteristics: Body (light to full), Dryness (sweet to bone dry), Acidity (flat to crisp), Tannin/Bitterness (soft to grippy), Fruitiness (subtle to prominent), Boldness (delicate to bold) and Beginner-Friendly (acquired taste to easy intro). Each scale helps you compare wine styles at a glance.
- How do I use the sensory profile to find wines I like?
- If you enjoy light, crisp wines look for Light Body with Crisp Acidity. For bold, rich wines choose Full Body with Grippy Tannin. Compare Negroamaro with similar wine styles to find your next favourite.
Last updated
Wine style information is approximate and varies by producer, region, vintage and serving size.