Apulia boasts 4 DOCG appellations, 3 of which originated from the existing Castel del Monte DOC, and they are joined by Primitivo di Manduria Dolce Naturale DOCG. Additionally, there are 28 DOC and 6 IGT denominations. Puglia is a vast region, stretching an impressive 400 kilometers from north to south. The wine-growing areas in Puglia are divided into four main zones: Daunia, Murgia, Messapia (with Valle d’Itria), and Salento.
Daunia
This area covers the province of Foggia and includes the Cacc’e Mmitte di Lucera DOC and San Severo DOC, with key grape varieties like Nero di Troia and Bombino Bianco, alongside Sangiovese, Montepulciano, and Negro Amaro.
Murgia
In the province of Barletta-Andria-Trani, soils are characterized by limestone rock aggregates descending towards the Adriatic coasts. Here we find the three DOCGs of Castel del Monte: Castel del Monte Bombino Nero DOCG, Castel del Monte Nero di Troia Riserva DOCG, and Castel del Monte Rosso Riserva DOCG. The DOC Moscato di Trani near Trani features wines based on the Moscato Bianco grape, often used in a dried form and also in a fortified version.
Valle d’Itria
The Locorotondo DOC in Valle d’Itria primarily produces wines from Verdeca and Bianco d’Alessano grapes.
Messapia
This ancient region includes the plains of Lecce, the Zagarese area, Capo d’Otranto, Matino on the Ionian Sea, and Santa Maria di Leuca. The main grape here is Primitivo, the star of one of Puglia’s most famous denominations, Primitivo di Manduria DOC. Primitivo is also present as a fortified wine, covered by the DOCG Primitivo di Manduria Dolce Naturale. The area is characterized by fertile, red limestone soils due to the high iron content in the subsoil.
Salento
On similar terrains, the most important grape in Salento is Negro Amaro, often vinified in blends with Malvasia Nera di Lecce and di Brindisi, as seen in well-known denominations like Salice Salentino DOC, Leverano DOC, Brindisi DOC, and Squinzano DOC, along with Gioia del Colle DOC, another important denomination for Negro Amaro.
