The Negroamaro Precoce is a recently discovered autochthonous grape variety from Puglia, identified in 1994 through a genetic improvement program for the vineyards of the Salento region, promoted by the Istituto Sperimentale per la Viticoltura in Conegliano Veneto. The discovery of Negroamaro Precoce was entirely accidental: in a vineyard of Negro Amaro, a vine was identified that exhibited completely unique characteristics, particularly showing a significant advance in the stages of veraison and ripening compared to the nearby vines.
The ampelographic, productive, and genetic characteristics of this new grape variety, registered in the National Register of Varieties under the name Negroamaro Precoce, are identical to those of the traditional Negro Amaro variety, except for the distinctly earlier ripening period (at least 20 days earlier), which has a noticeable and positive impact on the chemical components of the grapes and, consequently, the musts.
