Pomegranate Vincotto

Vincotto Pomegranate from Apulia, a fruity seasoning for duck and dessert

The Vincotto Pomegranate by Gianni Calogiuri is a sweet-and-sour agrodolce made from reduced grape must, wine vinegar, and concentrated pomegranate juice – aged for around four years in oak barrels. Not a pomegranate syrup, not a balsamic imitation, but the authentic Apulian original from the Calogiuri family in Lizzanello.

Vincotto Pomegranate combines the bright acidity of ripe pomegranates with the dark sweetness of reduced grape must, making it the fruitiest and freshest variety in the Azienda Agricola Calogiuri’s Vincotto range. Following the family recipe from 1825, the must from late-harvested Negroamaro and Malvasia Nera grapes is aged in oak barrels before being transformed into an agrodolce with wine vinegar and pomegranate juice. It is available in two sizes – 100 ml for sampling, 250 ml for your kitchen.

It flows from the bottle, dark red and sluggish, with a fragrance reminiscent of ripe pomegranate seeds, dark grapes, and red currants. On the palate, it is dense and velvety; the pomegranate acidity keeps the must’s sweetness vibrant – sweet-and-sour, fruity, and remarkably fresh. Where the Vincotto Fig leans toward depth, the pomegranate plays to the front. Tasted pure from a spoon, it demonstrates in one go what agrodolce means.

For duck, beetroot, and vanilla ice cream

Vincotto Pomegranate seasons duck breast and braised dishes, enlivens salads with beetroot or goat cheese, and turns vanilla ice cream, yogurt, or fruit salad into a quick dessert. A few drops are all it takes.

Its fruity acidity pairs particularly well with poultry – a teaspoon added to the gravy at the end gives the duck breast a beautiful glaze. It finds its perfect match with fresh goat cheese and toasted walnuts, as well as with couscous served with mint and pomegranate seeds. Whisked with good olive oil, it becomes a dressing for winter salads with radicchio and orange. And drizzled over vanilla ice cream, it shows why Apulia loves to balance desserts with a touch of acidity. For those who prefer something darker and deeper, choose the Vincotto Fig.

Four years of barrel aging, then the pomegranate

Like all varieties, Vincotto Pomegranate begins as the must of late-harvested grapes, which is boiled for 24 hours, losing about four-fifths of its volume in the process.

Negroamaro and Malvasia Nera grapes are dried on the vine and then for a month on wooden racks, which were traditionally straw mats, until their sweetness is concentrated. The syrup matures with the old Vincotto "mother" in oak barrels for about four years to become Vincotto Originale – only then are wine vinegar and concentrated pomegranate juice added. The more patiently the barrel works, the rounder the acidity becomes: an agrodolce completely free of alcohol and added sugar.

The Calogiuri heritage in Lizzanello since 1825

Leonardo Calogiuri began making Vincotto in Lizzanello, near Lecce, in 1825 – today, the family continues his recipe at Via Leonardo Da Vinci 12, in the heart of the Salento.

Since 1993, this ancestral specialty has traveled the world just as Gianni intended – now reaching around 40 countries, with his name on every bottle. Star chefs appreciate the balance of fruit, acidity, and seasoning; the registered Vincotto trademark belongs only to the original from Lizzanello. The pomegranate is at home in the Salento, its trees thriving in the warm, rocky land. In addition to pomegranate, the range includes fig, raspberry, and the original; you can find them all in the Calogiuri Vincotto overview.

For dressings and poultry dishes

Start with the 100 ml bottle – a teaspoon of Vincotto Pomegranate is enough to round off a sauce or elevate a dessert. For dressings and poultry dishes, the 250 ml size is well worth it.

Stored in a cool, dark place, it keeps for a long time, ideally standing upright in the pantry. As a small gift, the 100 ml bottle is a delight, perhaps paired with a piece of Pecorino. You can find more reduced grape must in the Vincotto and Saba category – both sizes can be ordered directly online here.