Puglia is best known for its full-bodied red wines. The legendary Negroamaro, the classic Primitivo, the sly Susumaniello, all red wines that impress with their character and boldness. However, there is a long tradition of white wines in Puglia, which in some cases precedes the production of reds.
For example Gravina, one of the oldest white wines in Italy. Its production dates back as far as the 6th century BC. Its grape varieties, imported from Magna Graecia, have found in loco their perfect habitat. Awarded DOC status in 1983 it is currently produced exclusively by Botromagno, which exports it to over 11 countries around the world. It is recognizable by its bright color, a straw yellow with greenish reflections. Fragrant, fruity, with hints of apple, peach, apricot and pineapple.
The name Locorotondo DOC refers to a white DOC wine from Puglia. Introduced in June 1969, Locorotondo is one of the oldest DOCs in the region and in all of Italy. Despite this relative seniority, it was only around the turn of the millennium that Locorotondo DOC wines really began to gain a foothold in the world of wine. Similar to the white wines of Martina Francaa few kilometers to the south, Locorotondo wines are also made with grapes from the Verdeca grape variety, which represents the largest percentage, and Bianco d’Alessano. The DOC takes its name from the municipality of Locorotondo, located just 16 km from the Adriatic coast, overlooking the Itria Valley, a large depression made of limestone. Together with the nearby Colline Joniche Tarantine, the valley marks the transition point between northern and southern Puglia. The particularly high presence of limestone and clay in this area creates the conditions for very particular heat retention and drainage properties. Limestone is so prevalent in the area that it has long been used as a building material. Its most famous use is the traditional white Trulli, with their distinctive conical roofs. Locorotondo, like many settlements in the Valle d’Itria area, is home to many of these trulli, which served both as homes and as storage areas for food supplies. Just north of Locorotondo is another DOC based on white wines, but which uses exclusively Moscato grapes, the Moscato di Trani DOC.
Moscato di Trani Doc is an excellence of the land of Puglia that can boast ancient origins. Around the year one thousand, its fame was already widespread among Venetian merchants who travelled down the Adriatic to procure this precious nectar.
Moscato di Trani Moscato di Trani was recognized with the Controlled Designation of Origin in 1974. The production area includes the territory of the municipality of Cerignola in the province of Foggia, the territory of the municipalities of Andria, Bisceglie, Canosa, Minervino and part of the municipal territory of Trinitapoli in the province of Barletta-Andria-Trani and the territory of the municipalities of Corato and Ruvo and part of the municipal territory of Bitonto and Terlizzi in the province of Bari.
This is a great dessert wine, perfect to pair with dry pastries made with almond paste, typical of the Apulian confectionery tradition.
The grapes are left to ripen on the plant until they are almost dried out.
The D.O.C. specification provides for two types: “sweet” and “fortified”. The first has a golden yellow color with an intense aroma, a sweet and velvety flavor and an alcohol content between 12.5° and 15° The second has an alcohol content of 18°with the same organoleptic characteristics as the first, but is aged for at least one year.
La denominazione di origine controllata Salice Salentino nasce dal decreto ministeriale del 8 aprile 1976 per autorizzare la produzione di vini bianchi, rossi e rosati nei comuni di Salice Salentino, Veglie, Ciampi Salentina e Guagnano in provincia di Lecce e San Pancrazio Salentino, Sandonaci e Cellino San Marco in provincia di Brindisi.
For white wines, the following typologies are foreseen: Salice Salentino Bianco with a Chardonnay base of at least 70% and the Salice Salentino Pinot Bianco typology with the grape variety present for at least 85%. The alcohol content varies between 10° and 10.50°.
The wine has a pale straw color slightly tinged with green, with a slightly fruity aroma. In the mouth it is dry and sparkling. Salice Salentino Pinot Bianco has a more velvety body. It pairs well with shellfish or molluscs, but also with fresh cheeses and vegetable dishes.
La Castel del Monte DOC is an appellation in the Apulia region, important for its red wines, although a small amount of white and rosé wines are also produced.
These are wines obtained from the grapes of the Uva di Troia vine, vinified with Aglianico grapes and occasionally Bombino Nero.
Castel del Monte Bianco is obtained mainly from Bombino Bianco, Chardonnay and Pampanuto. The “castle” referred to in the name is an octagonal fortification from the 13th century with an imposing view of the surrounding landscape, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The hill on which it stands is at the center of the area covered by the denomination and extends from Canosa di Puglia to Grumo Appula.
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