Masseria Li Veli 'Askos' Verdeca Salente IGT 2024
(Puglia, Italy)

About the Winery:
Masseria Li Veli is an imposing building on the southern most slopes of the Murge hills in the Salento peninsula, also known as the “heel of Italy”. The project is the realization of the Falvo family (previous owners of Avignonesi in Montepulciano, Tuscany) who have also strong ties to the region. The pre-existing stone structure dating to the late 19th Century has been transformed and enlarged, according to a well-planned and functional design in keeping with the style and layout of the original building. 

Masseria Li Veli features little-known native grape varieties of Puglia in its Askos line. Verdeca is the white entry in this line. Not much Verdeca is grown in Puglia, and almost none outside the region, so it's exciting to see a varietal Verdeca wine like this one from Li Veli. Askos is a Greek word for a type of wine container, harkening back to the pre-Roman days when the Ancient Greeks colonized Puglia and produced wine here - perhaps from Verdeca itself.

The bottling name, Askos, is intended to showcase a selection of ancient Apulian grapes which are almost disappearing, cultivated in their most suitable terroir. The wine is characterized by vibrant acidity, intense tropical fruit (guava, pineapple), pear, citrus, and prominent saline/mineral notes, making it a perfect, affordable pairing for seafood and Mediterranean dishes.

Ratings & Reviews

89 Points - Wine Spectator (2023):
"A mouthwatering white, sleek and light-bodied, with a salty underpinning and a subtle touch of beeswax lacing flavors of creamed melon, preserved lemon, macadamia nut and chamomile. Drink now. 5,500 cases made, 1,000 cases imported." – Alison Napjus (Dec 2024)