This is a seemingly barren land but extraordinary rich both by a naturalistic point of view with the presence of the pseudo Mediterranean steppe and also by an anthropomorphic point of view; in this land are perserved, more or less intact, the traces of a peasant culture that was highly-civilized: farmhouses, “trulli”, dry stone walls, storage tanks, wells and transhumant sheep tracks.
A heritage of inestimable value that tells how the farmers of this area, through hard work and determination, have been able to make productive this area.
The above-mentioned features are found also in wines. This is the kingdom of “Nero di Troia”; a grape variety that covers the production area of three DOC wines in the northern part of Bari and of the newborn province Barletta-Andria-Trani (BAT). The result is a well-structured wine, suitable for aging.
The area around Castel del Monte, with its rocky soil rich in natural vegetation is characterized by the production of the following wines: Nero di Troia, Aglianico, Bombino Bianco, Bombino Nero, Montepulciano and Pampanuto.
Moving along the coast it is possible to discover another famous wine known with the name of “Moscato di Trani” or “Moscato Reale”; a wine whose grapes are left to ripen until they are almost withered in order to produce a sweet nectar that is ideal to accompany the typical Apulian almond paste.
The production area of this DOC wine covers the entire regional territory.
It is a sweet tasting wine made from Aleatico grape (minimum 85%), with possible addition of Negroamaro, Malvasia nera and Primitivo.
It is necessary an aging for at least three years in order to obtain the recognition as Reserve.
This is one of the most notorious wine in Apulia and its production area covers the municipalities of: Minervino Murge, Andria, Corato, Trani, Ruvo, Terlizzi, Bitonto, Palo del Colle and Toritto.
“Castel del Monte bianco Doc” includes the following grape varieties: Pampanuto or Pampanino, Chrdonnay or Bombino bianco. Straw-yellow in colour for the sparkling version, this wine offers pleasant and subtle olfactory sensations.
Dry and cool to the palate “Doc Castel del Monte” red and rosé includes the following grape varieties: Nero di Troia, Aglianico, Montepulciano and Bombino nero. The last one only for rosé.
The red version is produced also for “Novello” and “Riserva”.
The production area of this DOC wine covers 16 municipalities between the provinces of Bari and Bat. The red wine version contains: Primitivo (50-60%), Montepulciano, Sangiovese, Malvasia nera (maximum 10%), Negroamaro (40-50%).
Ruby red in colour with garnet-red hues if aged, this is a whole meal wine.
Dry, harmonic, slightly tannic-tasting, it accompanies meat and cheese dishes.
The following versions are also present: rosé, white, Primitivo and a sweet and often fortified Aleatico.
This Doc wine is one of the most notorious white wines in Apulia.
Its production area covers the following municipalities: Gravina, Poggiorsini, Altamura and Spinazzola.
It contains: Malvasia del Chianti (40-65%), Greco di Tufo and Bianco d’Alessano (35-60%), with possible addition of Bombino Bianco, Trebbiano Toscano and Verdeca (maximum 10%).
Straw-yellow in colour with greenish hues, this wine presents itself dry and pleasant to the palate .
There is also the sparkling version that perfectly accompanies meat dishes and mushrooms.
The production area of this white wine refers to the municipalities of: Locorotondo, Fasano and Cisternino. It contains Verdeca (50-60%), Bianco d’Alessano (35-50%) with possible addition of Malvasia toscana, Bombino bianco and Fiano (maximum 5%).
Greenish or straw-yellow in colour, this wine presents itself dry and pleasant to the palate and may accompany any appetizers. There is also the sparkling version.
The production area of this area covers the following municipalities: Martina Franca, Crispiano, Alberobello, Ceglie Messapico and Ostuni. “Martina Franca doc” contains: Verdeca (50-65%), Bianco d’Alessano (35-50%), with possible addition of Malvasia Toscana, Bombino bianco and Fiano (maximum 5%).
Greenish or straw-yellow in colour, this wine presents itself dry and pleasant to the palate.
There is also the sparkling version that perfectly accompanies appetizers and light dishes.
The production area of this DOC wine covers the municipalities of two provinces: BAT and Foggia. It contains: Moscato Bianco (also known with the names “Moscato di Trani” and “Moscato Reale”), with possible addition of other muscat-flavored grape varieties (maximum 15%).
Golden yellow in colour, this is a natural mellow wine.
The minimum alcohol content for this wine is 14,5° and a wine-refining of almost five months.
There is also the fortified version with a minimum alcohol content of 18°.
The production area of this wine covers the following municipalities: Barletta, Andria, Trani, San Ferdinado di Puglia and Trinitapoli.
It contains Nero di Troia with possible addition of Montepulciano, Sangiovese (maximum 30%) and Malbech (maximum 10%). Red garnet in colour with orange hues if aged, this is a full-bodied wine, winy and armonic to the palate.
The minimum alcohol content for this wine is 12° and if aged for two years (one year in oak barrels), it receives the qualification of Reserve.
This wine contains: Nero di Troia (minimum 60%) with possible addition of Sangiovese and Montepulciano (maximum 35%). Ruby red in colour, this is a full-bodied wine as well as a whole meal wine. The minimum alcohol content for this wine is 12°. If aged for almost two years and with an alcohol content of 13°, this wine receives the qualification of Reserve.
The “IGT Murgia” designation is reserved for the following typologies:
All “IGT Murgia” wines must be obtained from grapes that originate from some grape varieties that have already been authorized and recommended by the province of Bari and that have berries of their corresponding colour.
The “IGT Murgia bianco” qualification is reserved for wines and musts that have been obtained from grapes that originate from the following grape varieties: Bombino bianco, Chardonnay, Fiano, Greco, Garganera, Moscato bianco, Pampanuto, Pinot bianco, Bianco d’Alessano, Verdeca, Malvasia, Moscatello Selvatico, Sauvignon (minimum 85%).
The “IGT Murgia rosato” qualification is reserved for wines and musts that have been obtained from grapes which originate from the following grape varieties: Aglianico, Pinot nero, Sangiovese, Uva di Troia and Bombino nero (minimum 85%).
The “IGT Murgia rosso” qualification is reserved for wines and musts that have been obtained from grapes which originate from the following grape varieties: Aglianico, Aleatico, Sangiovese, Uva di Troia, Pinot nero, Cabernet Sauvignon and Primitivo (minimum 85%).
With a maximum percentage of 15% it is possible to have grapes of some grape varieties with berries of similar colour, not aromatic, that have already been authorized and recommended for the Province of Bari.
The sparkling version of “IGT Murgia” wines is also present.
IGT Murgia wines produced with one of the following grape varieties: Moscato Bianco, Moscato Selvatico, Primitivo and Aleatico, may be produced in the typologies of abboccato (a wine with a smooth finish), smooth and sweet. (art.2 Disciplinare di produzione dei vini ad indicazione geografica tipica “Murgia”)
The production area of grapes whose designation is “IGT Murgia” covers the entire territory of the province of Bari. (art.3 Disciplinare di produzione dei vini ad indicazione geografica tipica “Murgia”)
The “IGT Puglia” designation is reserved for the following wines:
IGT “Puglia” white, red and rosé wines must be obtained from grapes that originate from a mixture of grape varieties; specifically from some grape varieties that have already been authorized and recommended by all provinces of Puglia (except Montepulciano and Ottavianello) and that have berries of their corresponding colour.
The IGT Puglia denomination refers to wines whose grapes originate from a mixture of grape varieties, with at least 85% of their corresponding grape variety (except Montepulciano od Ottavianello): Aleatico, Aglianico, Bombino nero, Bombino bianco, Falanghina, Fiano, Greco, Malvasia bianca, Malvasia nera, Uva di Troia, Moscato bianco, Moscatello, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Pinot bianco, Pinot nero, Riesling, Sauvignon, Primitivo, Negroamaro, Verdeca, Bianco d’Alessano, Pampanuto, Trebbiano and Sangiovese.
“IGT Puglia” wines may be also produced in the following versions: sparkling and Novello.(art.2, Disciplinare di produzione dei vini ad indicazione geografica tipica “Puglia”)
The production area of grapes whose wines and grape juice are recognized with the designation of “IGT Puglia” includes the following provinces: Bari, Brindisi, Foggia, Lecce and Taranto.(art.3, Disciplinare di produzione dei vini ad indicazione geografica tipica “Puglia”).
“DOCG Castel del Monte Bombino Nero” is made from grapes whose grape varieties must have the following ampelographic composition: Bombino nero (minimum 90%).
Other grapes (maximum 10%) of different grape varieties with black berries and not aromatic may be used to produce this DOCG wine but they must be suitable for growing in Apulia and, specifically, in the area known with the name of “Murgia Centrale”. (Disciplinare di produzione della denominazione di origine controllata e garantita Castel del Monte Bombino Nero, art.2)
The production area of grapes whose denomination is ” DOCG Castel del Monte Bombino Nero” must be grown around an area that covers the municipality of Minervino Murge and part of the following municipalities: Andria, Corato, Trani, Ruvo, Terlizzi, Bitonto, Palo del Colle and Toritto.
This area also includes the entire territory of D’Ameli Isle and the municipality of Binetto. (Disciplinare di produzione della denominazione di origine controllata e garantita Castel del Monte Bombino Nero, art.3)
“DOCG Castel del Monte Nero di Troia Riserva” is made from grapes whose grape varieties must have the following ampelographic composition: Nero di Troia (minimum 90%) with possible addition of grapes of other grape varieties (maximum 10%) with black berries and not aromatic that are suitable for growing in Apulia; specifically in the area known with the name of “Murgia Centrale”. (Disciplinare di produzione della denominazione di origine controllata e garantita Castel del Monte Nero di Troia Riserva, art.2)
The grapes used in the production of this DOCG wine must be grown around an area that covers the following municipalities: Minervino Murge and parts of: Andria, Corato, Trani, Ruvo, Terlizzi, Bitonto, Palo del Colle and Toritto.
This area also includes the entire territory of D’Ameli Isle and the municipality of Binetto. (Disciplinare di produzione della denominazione di origine controllata e garantita Castel del Monte Nero di Troia Riserva, art.3)
“DOCG Castel del Monte Nero Rosso Riserva” wine is made from grapes whose grape varieties must have the following ampelographic composition: Nero di Troia (minimum 65%).Other grapes (maximum 35%) of different grape varieties with black berries and not aromatic may be used to produce this DOCG wine.
These grapes must be suitable for growing in Apulia and, specifically, in the area known with the name of “Murgia Centrale”. (Disciplinare di produzione della denominazione di origine controllata e garantita Castel del Monte Rosso Riserva, art.2)
The production area of grapes whose denomination is ” DOCG Castel del Monte Rosso Riserva” must be grown around an area that covers the municipality of Minervino Murge and part of the following municipalities: Andria, Corato, Trani, Ruvo, Terlizzi, Bitonto, Palo del Colle and Toritto.
This area also includes the entire territory of D’Ameli Isle and the municipality of Binetto. (Disciplinare di produzione della denominazione di origine controllata e garantita Castel del Monte Rosso Riserva, art.3)
