A $10 Southern Italian red blend from Trader Joe's, we review the Ruggero di Bardo Anniversario Apulia Rosso.
An undisclosed blend from Puglia, Italy.
There's almost no info on the label or available from Trader Joe's but the wine is labeled as a Puglia Rosso IGP (Indicazione Geografica Protetta), which means that it comes from the Puglia region.
Puglia Rosso wines are allowed to use any grape varieties but typically for the region that will include a good amount of Primitivo and/or Negroamaro.
The wine is also produced under the Ruggero di Bardo label, which you might remember from the recently reviewed Ruggero di Bardo Susumaniello also sold at Trader Joe's. There's no indication; however, that this wine also includes the rare Susumaniello grape.
The Ruggero di Bardo Anniversario is available exclusively at Trader Joe's and sells for just $9.99. Like a lot of the Trader Joe's wines, the trademark is owned by D'Aquino Italian Importing Company. It is bottled by Femar Vini who also make the Epicuro wines for Trader Joe's. It has 14.5% Alcohol.
The 2021 Ruggero di Bardo Anniversario Apulia Rosso opens with a pleasing aroma full of dried berry fruit aromas with a touch of spice.
Taking a sip reveals the wine to be smooth, a bit sweet and a little hot when tasting, but still pleasing. It reminds me a bit of the Tinazzi Opera No 3 Red Blend from Costco (which also features Primitivo) with a little less spice.
It ends mostly dry with lots of lasting raisiny fruit. I would recommend giving this one plenty of time to breathe as it was slightly better on days 2 where it seemed to have balanced out a bit.
2021 Ruggero di Bardo Anniversario Apulia Rosso
RECOMMENDED BUY
As always you can find an updated list of our recommended wines from Trader Joe's as well as more info on their pricing model and some tips and tricks for shopping the store in our giant guide.
You can also find more of our favorite Italian wines here!
