But did you know that Puglia is one of the most important wine areas of Italy for the production of 4 DOCG wines, 28 DOC wines and 6 IGP wines?!
Used as blending wines for a long time, in order to reinforce other wines’ structure, Apulian wines are now gaining more and more success thanks to a higher quality level.
Which vines are cultivated in Puglia?
In the Northern part of the Puglia, in the Gargano, which is the mountainous area with mounts up to 1000 metres, are being produced the red and rose wines from the grapes Montepulciano, Sangiovese and Uva di Troia in Orta Nova district, whereas in San Severo we can find Montepulciano, Sangiovese, Uva di Troia, Bombino Bianco and Falanghina varieties.
The Uva di Troia grape, also known as Nero di Troia, is the most important one, and this is used to produce the DOC wine Cacc’e Mmitte from Lucera. Orta Nova, Cerignola and San Severo wines are also renowned as DOC wines in the Gargano territory.
The Central Puglia has many famous wines, such as the Castel del Monte red wine from which are produced the 3 DOCG wines Castel del Monte Bombino Nero DOCG, Castel del Monte Nero di Troia Riservas DOCG and Castel del Monte Rosso Riservas DOCG.
The sweet white Muscate wine from Trani is also a very popular wine.
In Gravina, a city in the Bary county, Uva di Troia, Aglianico, Primitivo, Greco and Malvasia vineyards are cultivated; in Gioia del Colle Aleatico, Primitivo and Malvasia vines are very typical.
In the Itria Valley, the white wines from Locorotondo and Martina Franca are the best ones made from Bianco di Alessano, Verdeca and Fiano grapes. They are also DOC wines mostly produced with Bianco di Alessano and Verdeca grapevines.
Primitivo, Salice Salentino and Terra d’Otranto wines are the major productions in the South of Puglia.
The Primitivo grape is the most widely used red vine in the Central Puglia and the Primitivo wine from Manduria is one of the well-known DOC wines of the region.
The red and rosè wines belonging to the DOC Salice Salentino are realized from the Negro Amaro and Malvasia vineyards, whilst the white Salice Salentino consists of Chardonnay and Salice Salentino Pinot white grapes.
Terra d’Otranto wine is a blend of Aleatico, Primitivo, Malvasia and Verdeca vines.
The Apulian “nectar of the Gods” has a very ancient tradition and it was already known since Greek and Roman times, and nowadays you can experience the scent and flavour of this fantastic land travelling through the 9 Wine Routes all over the Puglia.
viaggieitinerari... in Puglia by Valeria Dicarlo 