The iconic, German-focused wine importer Terry Theise once said that the first duty of wine is to be refreshing, the second duty is to be delicious, and the third duty is to be fascinating. If we take Terry’s word, Valentina Passalaqua’s line, Nù Litr, showcases wines as dutiful as they come.

Valentina has made a name for herself as Italy’s natural wine maverick, notably with liter bottles and periodic table branding. Nù Litr is Valentina’s latest iteration on these wines, brought about after a US trademark issue sparked a minor rebrand. While these wines are slightly more grown up versions of Calcarius (softer palate, fruit purity and vibrancy coming more to the forefront), Valentina’s vision has always been the same: to make quaffable, organic wines that speak of her Puglia homeland. “As a mother of two daughters,” Valentina says, “I craft wine to impart to them the kaleidoscope of colors that my land bestows upon me.” In 2010, she left a career in law to start her winery and soon found her niche. Her low ABV wines, elemental labels, gathering-friendly bottle sizes, and approachable price points quickly garnered worldwide attention.

The range is made up of four wines: a bianco, an orange, a rosato, and a rosso. They all come from estate vineyards grown on Kimmeridgian limestone soils and calcareous clay subsoils. Showcasing Puglia’s traditional varieties, like Primitivo and Negroamaro, Valentina puts a fresh spin on an area better known for its tannic, full-bodied wines. On the vineyard side, grapes are picked early for lower alcohol levels and zingy acidity, but over the years, the wines have softened away from the kombucha-kick style and more into the easy-drinking, vibrant, drink-this-all-night kind of style. In the cellar, sulfur is the only addition before bottling, and the wines all see a coarse filtration, but no fining.

Nù Litr is Valentina’s next chapter, one that continues to push boundaries with confidence and clarity. It continues her story of home, of coming back to her roots, of finding her stride through simple, organic viticulture and honest winemaking.