This is my third and final post on the various wine regions of Italy. Previously, I’ve covered those in the north and central parts of the country. Today, I will talk about those in the South. As always, my information comes from my Sommelier training notes & the 2 wine encyclopedic reference books I have (WAoW and OCtW). Opposite Rome, on the eastern side of Italy, you find the Abruzzo region. It’s known mostly for the “bulk” wine they produce. However, two sub zones, Montepulciano d’Abruzzo and Trebbiano d’Abruzzo do produce excellent wines. Continuing south, the next area you come to is Apulia (Puglia). It’s most known for red Primitivo wine (the Italian Zinfandel).
Continuing south, Basilicata is what you come to next. It is a small region that has only one DOC, Aglianico del Vulture. The Aglianico grape produces a dark, tannic, rich red wine, mostly on the sides of a dormant volcano. The final region continuing south, Calabria, is the “foot” of Italy; a large, mostly “wild” area of the country with small DOCs growing grapes. By far the most productive (90% by volume) is the Gagioppo grape used to make Ciro red wine (also the name of the DOC). This wine can be “hauntingly scented, sometimes of roses” (OCtW).
That just leaves Campania and the island of Sicily, the two better wine producers in the south. Campania is the region around Naples on the west side of Italy. This is the region where the ancient Romans grew grapes, and as such is Italy’s oldest. It’s frequently referred to as the “Barolo of the South” and produces many excellent “age-worthy” wines. It is also known for the volcanic Aglianico grape, but mostly for its Lacryma Christi (tears of Christ) red wines made from the Piedirosso & Sciascinoso grapes. The island of Sicily is the last major region I will cover. The entire island was declared a DOC in 2011, but it also possesses several smaller DOCs and one DOCG (Marsala). In my opinion, Sicily’s best wine is the Nero d’Avola, a Cab Sauv like wine that I will eventually profile as a Wine of the Month. Otherwise, the Nerello Mascalese, grown on the sides of Mt. Etna, is an excellent malbec like wine. Additionally, the Frappato (red) and Grillo (white) are two light, easy drinking wines worth checking out.
That should cover the major areas of Italy. Three countries done, several more to go; all in good time. Next week, I will return to Food & Wine. Cheers!