Discovering Apulian Wines and Indigenous Grape Varieties

Apulia's wine production ranks among the most significant in Italy, with a dedicated surface area of 87,000 hectares and a wine production of 4,900,000 hectoliters, of which 79% is represented by PDO wines and 9% by PGI wines. Red and rosé wines account for 65% of the production, while white wines make up 35%.
For a long time, Apulian wines were mainly destined for other regions and European countries, where they were used to enrich local wines, providing color, structure, and alcohol. However, in recent years, the situation has changed, and Apulian producers have started to focus on producing high-quality wines, recognizing the region's great wine potential. Grapes such as Negro Amaro, Primitivo, and Uva di Troia have gained significant international reputation, contributing to the renaissance of Apulian wines.
Apulia is also an important area for rosé wine production, ideal for pairing with local cuisine and suitable for the warm climate that characterizes the region for most of the year. In Salento, wines are primarily based on Negro Amaro, in Alta Murgia and Castel del Monte on Bombino Nero, while the Bari area produces wines with Uva di Troia and Montepulciano.
With its enological diversity and the quality of its wines, Apulia establishes itself as one of the reference regions in the Italian wine scene.
The experts involved in the editing of the Atlas of Apulian Grape Varieties have highlighted the existence of three homogeneous wine-growing areas in the region: Capitanata, Central Murgia, and Salento-Jonic Arch. These areas represent authentic wine oases, where the variety of indigenous grape varieties is extraordinary. By exploring the Apulian wine panorama, you can discover unique grape varieties such as Verdeca/Pampanuto, Bianco di Alessano, Bombino Bianco, Primitivo, Negro Amaro, and many others. Each sip of these wines is an authentic experience that will transport you to the discovery of the taste and millennia-old traditions of Apulia.
But Apulia also hides lesser-known wine treasures, such as Cigliola Bianca, Maresco, Minutolo, Moscatello Selvatico, Notardomenico, Ottavianello, and Somarello Rosso. These lesser-known grape varieties, often at risk of genetic erosion, tell unique stories and offer surprising organoleptic characteristics. Apulia, with its rich wine history, is ready to surprise you with a selection of unforgettable wines that will make you fall in love with its landscapes and unique flavors.
Discover the charm and authenticity of Apulian grape varieties, let yourself be carried away by a sensory journey that will lead you to discover an extraordinary territory and a millennia-old food and wine culture. Apulia awaits you with a selection of quality wines, ready to offer you unique emotions with every sip.