Apulia

• Total vineyard area:

  85,125 hectares

• Number of producers:

  36,000

• Total wine production per year:

  9 million hectolitres

• Number of DOCGs:

  4

• Number of DOCs:

  28

Puglia’s history dates back thousands of years, to the Greeks, who settled in the region around the 8th century BC. The Greeks brought grape varieties and winemaking techniques that changed Puglia’s winemaking future forever. Puglia’s native grapes Verdeca and Greco Bianco are both believed to have originated from Greece.

In time, Puglia mastered the art of winemaking, producing excellent wines thanks to its poor soils in which grapevines thrive.

With many vineyards established among the olive trees, Pugliese winemakers began to establish their footing in the Italian wine scene. Its most popular grape, Primitivo, is said to have Croatian origins. This grape variety has gained popularity as it is the same grape as California Zinfandel. Yet, it has a different flavour profile, thanks to Puglia’s unique terroir and climate. The future of the wine industry in Puglia appears very bright.

Puglia’s viticulture is defined by its location. Geographically speaking, Puglia is a peninsula which affects the region’s climate thanks to its vast exposure to the sea. Puglia encounters strong winds, such as the sirocco (also known as scirocco), that arrive from the Sahara and whip through the region with incredible force.

In order to protect the grapes, vines are cultivated into goblet shapes (otherwise known as bush vines), which keeps the vines low to the ground, sheltering the fruit. Its proximity to the ground also helps to shield the grapes from potential ‘sunburns’ which can taint their skin and flavours. Despite the wind, Puglia enjoys an overall Mediterranean climate with pleasant winters, hot summers, and mostly clear skies.

Puglia also has unique soils. Although the region is very arid, it is plentiful in limestone, lending a delicious minerality to its wines. In particular, there are fascinating red soils layered over white limestone found on the Western coast of the peninsula. These soils are used to grow grapes for Primitivo di Manduria.

• Alberto Longo

  Located in the town of Lucera in Northern Puglia, Alberto is a fantastic winemaker producing notable wines, made from a blend of 3 grape varieties: 55% of Nero di Troia, 30% of Montepulciano di Abbruzzo and 15% of Bombino Bianco The winery also produces its own extra virgin olive oil from centuries-old olive trees.

• Carvinea

  Found in the upper Salento coast, Carvinea has become an absolute icon to Pugliese wine lovers. Carvinea produces red wines made of predominantly Negroamaro and Primitivo grapes, many of which have received several awards over the years. They also create fabolous white wines from Fiano grapes and other french varieties, along with a selection of fruity rosé.

• I Pastini

  Situated in the heart of the Itria Valley, I Pastini is dedicated to making true Pugliese wine. The winery’s mission is to revive local grape varieties and use modern winemaking techniques, while respecting ancient traditions rooted in this region’s history. Their Bianco d’Alessano wines have received multiple awards over the last 5 years, and deservedly so! They are also known for a very rare wine, attained from a Valle d’Itria grape variety called Minutolo.

• Verdeca

  Verdeca is found in Locorotondo and Martinafranca regions. They have aromas of stone fruits.

• Bianco d’Alessano

  This rare Pugliese grape is mellow and often used in blends, particularly Valle d’Itria IGT

• Chardonnay

  This French variety was introduced in the 1990s. It makes excellent wines on limestone soils.

• Fiano

  Fiano has notes of nuts and honey. A great option for summer dining.

• Primitivo

  Grown since the 1700s, Primitivo is hearty and rich both in fruit and alcohol.

• Negroamaro

  Although Negroamaro means “black and bitter”, it is aromatic and smooth with dark fruit flavours.

• Nero di Troia

  Grown in the North of Puglia, it is usually blended with other varieties.