From sea to glass: how marine influence shapes the character of wine

In Puglia, the sea is much more than a landscape. It is a presence that influences the climate, the land, traditions and even some of the region’s most representative products, including wine.

Proximity to the sea can have a significant impact on the growth of the vine: sea breezes help soften temperatures, the climate remains more balanced and certain soils, especially in coastal areas, contribute to shaping wines with a fresh, savoury and mineral profile.

In this article, we explore how marine influence can change the character of wine and how this connection can be found in some of Masseria Borgo dei Trulli’s labels.

The soil in which vines grow is one of the most important elements in defining the identity of a wine. Its composition can influence the development of the plant, the ripening of the grapes and certain characteristics perceived in the glass, such as freshness, savouriness and minerality.

A particularly representative example is Duna Mirante Primitivo di Manduria DOP. The vineyards are only 400 metres from the sea: this proximity has an important influence on the vines and enriches their aromatic profile with marine and briny notes. Here, the vines grow in sand, in a setting deeply connected to the coast and protected from the sea salt by coastal dunes. It is an almost untouched area, ideal for producing an authentic and genuine Primitivo.

The proximity to the sea gives the wine a unique personality: on the palate, it is highly concentrated, with salty accents and notes of ripe fruit, plums and Mediterranean herbs. Powerful and bold, yet at the same time austere, elegant and velvety.

In areas close to the coast, the sea also plays an important climatic role. Sea breezes help mitigate summer temperatures, encouraging a more balanced ripening of the grapes. This can help preserve freshness, acidity and aromatic finesse.

Sea salt, carried by the wind, can also become part of the sensory expression of a territory, and in some wines it can translate into sensations of savouriness, minerality and liveliness on the palate.

This is the case with our Vermentino IGP Puglia, a white wine that stands out for its freshness and pleasant saline minerality. On the palate, balance, acidity and a savoury note emerge, making it ideal for pairing with Mediterranean cuisine.