Raise a glass: the essential guide to Puglia wines

Tuscany and Piedmont usually steal the show when it comes to Italian wines but Puglia has nothing to envy to other regions. Wine has been grown here for centuries, since the Phoenicians and Greeks ruled here. Homer himself spoke of this region as a place of “eternal spring” which evidently favored an abundance and variety of refined wines. Under the ruling of the ancient Romans, Puglia wines were among the most famous and appreciated, but then the decline of the Western Roman Empire marked the decline of enology in this region. Until today, that is.

Nowadays Puglia is one of the Italian regions that produces more wine than any other. Even if a lot of Puglia wine is still used as a blending wine to strengthen weaker wines, lately many producers are investing in quality and there are many notable wines.

“Puglia wines tell a story, that of a land shaped by many winds and two seas. A true paradise for winemakers” – Giammarco Montanaro, sommelier and restaurateur

Here the wine scene is dominated by red grapes, but there are some interesting white wines too. Chardonnay, even though it’s not local to Puglia, is, in fact, the most cultivated and widespread white grape of the region. There’s also no shortage of international grapes, especially Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon but Puglia is most famous for Negroamaro, Primitivo and Nero di Troia.

Puglia has more vineyards than all the other Italian regions, after Sicily, and it is the country’s leading producer, so a trip to the heel of Italy is the perfect occasion to learn more about wine. That’s why we included wine tastings on our tours. It’s a must for any traveler!

This guide will take a look at the different local wine varieties, so you can appreciate Puglia wines even more, whether at home or on vacation.