Ottavianello by Vallone in Puglia Ottavianello is true rarity. A red grape variety mostly grown in the super-obscure Ostuni DOC, on the Salento peninsula of Puglia. DNA profiling shows it’s the French Cinsault 1, widely grown in Provence and Languedoc. There’s no doubt though that it’s gone native since arriving in Puglia in the nineteenth century. It’s a distinct biotype. …
Verdeca – Time for a Renaissance
Verdeca – Time for a Renaissance Once upon a time, Verdeca was widely planted in Puglia, its homeland. If Puglia is the boot of Italy, then we are far down at its heel. Verdeca is an autochthonous white grape variety that grows mainly in the central provinces of Bari and Taranto but also further south in Brindisi and Lecce1. Unfortunately, …
Rivera – Three Stunning Puglian Wines
Rivera – Three Stunning Puglian Wines On a recent visit to Apulia (Puglia) in Italy, I was honoured to attend the prestigious annual Radici del Sud competition, judging the wines of Southern Italy. While there, visiting the Rivera winery was a real highlight. Rivera is located in central Puglia, near Andria. Nearby is a famous local landmark, Castel del Monte. …