Puglia – Southern Italy

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Wine from Puglia: Exploring the Richness of Primitivo and Other Grapes

Nestled in the sun-kissed region of southern Italy, Puglia, also known as Apulia, boasts a viticultural history that stretches back centuries. With its Mediterranean climate and fertile soils, this picturesque region has become renowned for producing exceptional wines. Among the plethora of grape varieties cultivated here, the indigenous Primitivo stands tall, commanding attention alongside other notable varieties. Let’s delve into the captivating world of Puglian wine and its iconic grapes.

Primitivo: The Jewel in Puglia’s Wine Crown

Primitivo, the pride of Puglia, has garnered international recognition for its bold and robust character. This grape variety is genetically linked to California’s Zinfandel, sharing a common ancestry dating back to ancient Croatia. The name “Primitivo” is derived from the Italian word “primo,” meaning first, as this grape tends to ripen early in the growing season.

About 15% of the land is primitivo including bulk wines but in the DOP area a larger proportion is primitivo and this is also the grapes mostly exported. The grape thrives in the region’s warm and dry climate, benefiting from the cooling sea breezes that sweep across the Adriatic and Ionian coasts, lending complexity to the final product.

Exploring Other Grape Varieties in Puglia

While Primitivo might be the star, Puglia’s wine canvas extends far beyond. The region’s viticulture is diverse, cultivating a wide range of grape varieties. The second most famous is Negroamaro, another indigenous grape, is prominent and adds depth and structure to red blends. Its name, “Negroamaro,” translates to “black bitter,” hinting at its intense and dark fruit flavors.

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Negroamaro shares the spotlight with Malvasia Nera, contributing to the production of luscious dessert wines. Additionally, Uva di Troia (also known as Nero di Troia) thrives in the northern part of Puglia and gives life to robust reds with a charming rustic edge.

However, it is not only Primitivo and Negroamaro but there is also a great amount of white wine being planted. Puglia’s white grape varieties, such as Verdeca and Bianco d’Alessano, thrive in the sunny Itria Valley located in the middle of Puglia and stretches across the provinces of Bari, Brindisi and Taranto and the famous Trulli houses are located around it. These grapes produce refreshing and crisp wines, showcasing the region’s diverse terroir. With citrusy notes and vibrant acidity, Puglia’s white wines offer a delightful accompaniment to its rich culinary delights.

Famous Subregions of Puglia: Wine Wonderland

Puglia is a vast region, and within its borders lie several subregions, each boasting unique terroirs and producing distinctive wines. Among the most renowned is Salento, occupying the southernmost part of Puglia. Salento’s coastal location influences its vineyards, allowing for the cultivation of Primitivo and Negroamaro in abundance. The wines from Salento are rich and full-bodied, capturing the essence of the Mediterranean.
In the northern part of Puglia, Castel del Monte stands tall, producing wines primarily from Uva di Troia. The vineyards here benefit from higher altitudes, cooler temperatures, and limestone-rich soils, resulting in more elegant and structured red wines.
In terms of volume, Puglia is a big producers and in 2022 it broke the 10 million hectoliters-mark which in comparison to Spanish Rioja is around 2,5-3 million. Only about 7% of the total is DOP.

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Local Food: A Perfect Pairing

Exploring Puglian wines is an opportunity to indulge in the region’s exquisite culinary delights. The traditional cuisine of Puglia reflects its agricultural heritage and strong connection to the sea.

One cannot visit Puglia without savoring the famous orecchiette pasta that means “little ears” due to its shape. In terms of preparation, there are two main ways of using it. The most typical one is using Cavolo Nero which translates to Black cabbage and has a deep earthy flavour and it is prepared with garlic, chili and topped with Pecorino cheese. The other typical way is having it served with a rich tomato and meat sauce. This hearty dish pairs harmoniously with the full-bodied Primitivo or Negroamaro wines, creating a delightful balance between the wine’s fruitiness and the dish’s savory depth.
Another local gem is the famous Burrata that is believed to have orginated in the City of Andria. This cheese nowadays does need no introduction a luscious cheese made from mozzarella and cream, which pairs exquisitely with the fresh and zesty whites of Puglia. A platter of grilled vegetables drizzled with local olive oil and accompanied by a glass of crisp Verdeca wine is a match made in culinary heaven.

In Conclusion

Puglia is not only primitivo but have a lot of different grape varieties and styles. This is a region that has a really good price/value ratio as you can find many excellent wines from around £15 (written in 2023) and it is a great travel destination due to its warm climate and amazing food combined with many flights to Bari and overall affordability of the region as the south is notably more affordable than northern part of Italy.

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Links

We have had a wine tasting with wines from Puglia and we have put the winner of the tasting panel in the list of wines. This list may serve as a great of selecting wines fitting a specific criteria.

Italian Red Wines

Best Wine