Puglia
Puglia
Taking up the heel and ankle of Italy's 'boot', the southern Italian region of Puglia is a prolific wine hub, making mostly red wine from a diverse set of grapes. Like many high volume regions, competition from new world countries has seen Puglia change its quantitative approach and move to more focused winemaking with quality production at its core. The northern part of the region produces wine from grapes found across Italy, most commonly Montepulciano and Sangiovese. The south of the region, where some would say the 'real' Puglia begins, is much hotter and drier than the north, and robust, blockbusting red wines made from the local varieties Negroamaro and Primitivo are the norm. So far south, the hot days and warm sea breezes concentrate flavour and produce wines with high tannin and alcohol, with bold, inky colour and black fruit flavours. It feels as though Puglia's quality renaissance is only just beginning, but already the wines are tasting first-rate.
