Puglia is located in southern Italy
Yes, you read that correctly. Puglia is not close to Tuscany, Piedmont or Lombardy. It has more in common with Sicily and Campania than the other regions mentioned above.
Puglia has a long history of wine making
The wine regions of Italy are separated into 20 regions, each with its own history, culture and styles of wine. The largest wine-producing region in Italy is Puglia (Apulia), which is in the southern part of the country. It consists of five provinces, Bari, Barletta-Andria-Trani BAT, Brindisi, Foggia and Taranto. In total it covers nearly 20% of Italy’s landmass. Puglia produces around 40% of Italy’s wine each year, but only a small percentage makes it outside the country to places like North America.
Negromaro, Primitivo and Malvasia Nera are the top red grape varieties consumed in Puglia
Have a taste of these three top red grape varieties consumed in the Puglia wine region:
The south-easternmost corner of Puglia, known as Salento, is a large peninsula jutting out into the Adriatic and Ionian seas.
An important facet of Salento is the climate. The southernmost part of Puglia, with hot summers and mild winters, Salento enjoys a temperate Mediterranean climate. This is beneficial to the vineyards as it helps them avoid extreme weather conditions such as frost and hail. The soil in Salento is mainly made up of limestone and clay, which enables the vines to retain water during drier periods.
While the area has always been a good grape growing region, it wasn’t until recent years that Salento became known for its white wines specifically. These wines are mainly produced from Verdicchio grapes – a popular varietal which thrives in central Italy’s Marche region (where it produces some excellent whites). But in Puglia? It’s not so successful: for example, we recommend steering clear of their mostly bland Verdicchio di Castel del Monte DOC wine!
Some top wines from Puglia include: Taurino Salice Salentino Riserva 2008; Leone de Castris Salice Salentino Riserva Donna Chiara 2010 and Masciarelli Marina Cvetic Montepulciano dAbruzzo Molise Rosato 2014
- Taurino Salice Salentino Riserva 2008
- Leone de Castris Salice Salentino Riserva Donna Chiara 2010
- Masciarelli Marina Cvetic Montepulciano dAbruzzo Molise Rosato 2014
Puglias wines are more than just Barolo and Chianti.
Italians love their wine, and visitors to Italy will quickly discover that its vineyards are a treasure trove of unique varietals and delicious blends. While regions like Barolo in Piedmont and Chianti in Tuscany have become household names, Italy is home to many lesser-known wine regions producing stellar vino at more affordable prices—not to mention some of the most beautiful countryside on Earth.
Home to nearly half of Italy’s wine production, Puglia (a.k.a Apulia) is the country’s largest region for both grape growing and winemaking. The hot Mediterranean climate makes for dry conditions ideal for grapes—as well as olives, almonds and figs—and Puglians take advantage with an output of high-quality bulk wines that reach every corner of the boot.https://www.winemag.com/2017/11/15/wine-regions-italy-puglia/.