The heel of the “Italian boot” with its 110,000 hectares of vineyards is the leading wine-producing region in Italy with 17% of national production. Located in the southeast of the country, the region of Puglia is bathed by the Adriatic Sea to the east and the Ionian Sea to the south. It is divided into five sub-regions, from north to south: Daunia, Murge, Valle d’Itria, Magna Grecia and Salento. From Daunia to Valle d’Itria, the landscape changes from large plateaus to hilly areas. The climate changes from continental to oceanic, influenced by the Adriatic Sea. Further south, Magna Grecia and Salento are plains characterized by a typical Mediterranean climate.
A bit of history
The vine was introduced by the Phoenicians, then developed by the Greeks and most of all by the Romans. For a very long time, Puglia produced wine of poor quality, often very alcoholic (up to 16-17 degrees!). The wines were either made into vermouth or blended to give more structure to the overly acidic wines of northern Italy or France during bad harvests. A quality shift was undertaken in the mid-90’s when the first vintages were bottled! Until then, the wine was only produced in bulk and transported in tankers!
Appellations
With no less than 28 DOP (Denominazione di Origine Protetta), 4 DOCG (Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita) and 6 IGT (Indicazione geografica tipica), it can be a little difficult to find your way around. To spare you the complete list, here are a few that are becoming increasingly well known: Castel del Monte, Copertino, Gioia del Colle, Locorotondo Primitivo di Manduria and Salice Salentino. Thanks to thepuglia.com for allowing us to publish the following map of Puglia wine appellations.
Grape Varieties
In white, we find bianco d’Alessano, bombino bianco, fiano, malvasia bianca and moscato reale. In red, the three main varieties in order of importance are primitivo, negroamaro and nero di Troia, but are also planted: aglianico, aleatico, bombino nero, malvasia nera, montepulciano, notardomenico, ottavianello and susumaniello..
Wineries Recommended
Here is a list, of course not complete, of good producers and very good wines (in brackets):
– Cantina Albea (Lui, 100% nero di troia)
– Castello Monaci (Artas, 100% primitivo)
– Conti Zecca (Nero, 70% negroamaro, 30% cabernet sauvignon)
– D’Arapri (La Dama Forestiera, Traditional method, montepulciano and pinot noir)
– Feudi di San Marzano (Sessantanni, 100% primitivo)
– Gianfranco Fino (Es, 100% primitivo)
– Pietra Ventosa (Ossimoro, primitivo and aglianico)
– Severino Garofano – Azienda Monaci (Le Braci 100% negroamaro)
– Taurino Cosimo (Patriglione, 90% negroamaro, 10% malvasia nera)
– Tenute Chiaromonte (Muro Sant’Angelo, 100% primitivo)
– Tenute Rubino (Torre Testa, 100% susumaniello)
– Tormaresca (Pietrabianca, 90% chardonnay, 10% fiano)
– Torrevento (Vigna Pedale, 100% nero di troia)
Source: vinidipuglia.com
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