Southern Italian Wines

Big reds and fragrant whites

The best local white varieties are Bianco d’Alessano and Verdeca.

Another of Puglia’s secrets, their red wines, have for good reason become more widely appreciated and available in the UK. They have a distinctive spicy character and many are of very high quality. They are typically made from the local grape varieties; Negroamaro and Primitivo and to a lesser extent Uva di Troia.

The best quality ones can cost as much as good wines in the UK. Excellent middle of the road red wines can be found under the Leone di Castri and Conico labels for example.

Rose (rosato) and white wines are less well known but the Castel del Monte is very good value. Look out too for local white wines grown with the Verdeca grape – these can be found in lots of restaurants and Osteria’s and really are fantastic wines at pleasing prices.

Enotecas (wine shops) can be found in all hilltop towns and rural villages. They stock good quality local wines you often won’t find in the mini-markets.