Matane Primitivo Puglia 2007 Impresses at Pane E Vino

A night out with friends leads to a delightful discovery of an Italian red wine.

Published on Feb. 15, 2026

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A group of friends enjoyed a dinner at Pane E Vino, a popular Italian restaurant in Los Angeles, where they discovered a delightful Primitivo wine from Puglia, Italy called Matane Primitivo Puglia 2007. The wine, a collaborative effort from the Empson family and winemaker Filippo Baccalaro, paired perfectly with a simple rigatoni and light tomato sauce dish.

Why it matters

The discovery of this Primitivo wine highlights the joy of exploring new wines, especially when paired with good company and a delicious meal. It showcases how a casual night out can turn into a memorable experience through the right wine selection.

The details

The Matane Primitivo is a 100% Primitivo grape wine from the Puglia region of Italy. It has a medium-tinted red color with some purple tones, and while the nose is somewhat faint, it offers fresh cherry aromas. On the palate, the wine is full of spices, cherry, and raspberry notes, with a good amount of earthiness and a slightly smoky finish. The wine has very nice tannins and a medium-full mouthfeel.

  • The dinner at Pane E Vino took place on an unspecified night.

The players

Jones

A long-time friend of the group.

Maggie

A recent addition to the group of friends.

Denise

A member of the group of friends.

Filippo Baccalaro

The winemaker who collaborated on the Matane Primitivo Puglia 2007.

Empson family

The family who collaborated on the Matane Primitivo Puglia 2007.

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What they’re saying

“Jones is always quick to defer to my judgment on wine selection. It's one of the reasons I like him so much.”

— Randy Fuller, Wine Enthusiast (nowandzin.com)

The takeaway

This story highlights the joy of discovering new and delightful wines, especially when shared with good friends and paired with a delicious meal. It serves as a reminder to keep an open mind and explore the world of wine, as you never know what hidden gems you might uncover.