The heel of Italy, Puglia (Apulia) was the landing point for many Greek settlers who brought their vines from Asia-Minor thousands of years before Christ. As elsewhere, the cooperative movement took hold after the Second World War, only marginally relinquishing its grip in recent years. 

Topographically this narrow province is divided equally between the calcareous Apennine foothills and fertile plains. Responsible for approximately 15% of Italy’s production (2006), 80% of Puglia’s vines are planted with red grapes, notably Negroamaro, Primitivo (Zinfandel), Malvasia Nera, Montepulciano d’Abruzzo and Uva di Troia. The whites come primarily from Trebbiano Toscano and Bombino Bianco. The zones of Castel del Monte, Salice Salentino and Gioia del Colle are ones to watch.

Recommended producers: L’Astore masseria, Morella