Antico de I Pàstini is born in Martina Franca, in the heart of the Itria Valley, where vineyards have coexisted for centuries with trulli and ancient olive trees. Here the soil is red, rich in iron oxides, and rests on a limestone base that gives the wines a distinctive minerality. Once, these lands were considered “secondary” compared to the great reds of Salento, but history teaches us that patience always pays off. The breeze that constantly blows between the Adriatic and Ionian seas keeps the grapes healthy and crisp, ensuring that freshness we so desperately seek today in a characterful white wine. Antico is the result of a skilful interplay between three indigenous grape varieties. Verdeca (60%) provides the backbone, ensuring acidity and that typical herbal note. Bianco d’Alessano (35%) adds structure and roundness, while Minutolo (5%) acts like a precious perfume: a small percentage is enough to ignite the bouquet with aromatic and floral nuances that make the sip unforgettable. In the cellar, “hyper-reduction” techniques are used. The grapes are destemmed and pressed without exposure to air to protect the most volatile aromas. After a static cold settling for 24 hours, the clear must ferments at very low temperatures. This long cold phase allows only the noblest part of the fruit to be extracted, preserving the vitality of the original grape varieties. In the glass, Antico shows a bright straw yellow colour with greenish highlights that reveal its youth. On the nose, a delicate bouquet of white flowers, lime and a hint of green apple emerges. On the palate, it is a burst of freshness. It is a harmonious wine, where mineral savouriness meets a citrusy and pleasantly persistent finish. It does not try to impress with special effects, but convinces with its remarkable drinkability. At the table, it is a faithful companion to Mediterranean cuisine. It works beautifully with a sauté of mussels and clams or with typical local dairy products such as fresh burrata or mozzarella knots.