The appellation name Salice Salentino takes its name from the village of Salice Salentino, which lies at the center of the growing zone for this noble wine.
The place name Salice Salentino (pronounced SAH-lee-cheh SAH-lehn-TEE-noh) stretches back to the early 1300s and beyond. The earliest documented mention dates back to 1310: clerici salicis, meaning priests from Salice.
Scholars agree that the name Salice comes from the Latin salix, meaning willow tree. It can probably be attributed to abundant presence of the salix alba, the white willow, which populated the riparian forest (i.e., coastal forest) here in the time before Greek colonization (8th century B.C.E.).
Salentino is a diminutive adjective that comes from Salento, the name of the lower Apulian peninsula. Salento comes from the Latin salum meaning open sea.
When you see the never-ending sky of this region, you can imagine the early Greek colonists who landed here and found a dense forest of willow trees. The Greeks, and then the Romans after them, planted olive groves and vineyards, which still cover this magical land as far as the eye can see.
It was a while ago, long time and my Uncle Dominic contacted you. We were trying to verify if we related. My grandfather is from Sangiacomo Di Luziana, Italy (Norhtern Italy). It was about the time of your gandfather’s passing, our condolencess. It seems accord to my Uncle that your family was moved from the north. I would enjoy speaking to you about our possible shared history. I am also looking to get a dual passport from Italy once I get more documentation realted to my grandfather.
I am looking forward to corresponding with you.
Warm Regards,
Dan Cantele