Basilicata

Regional detail

Location

The instep of the Italian boot, the centre of Southern Italy. The capital is Potenza but the most important winemaking happens around the extinct volcano of Vulture, inland towards Puglia. It is a land often neglected by both tourists and the Italian Government but is one of the last places in Italy where you can really feel life before the modern age.

Climate

Hot summers and bitterly cold winters, inland. Around Vulture the harvests are one of the latest in Italy, combined with huge temperature differences between day and night, is probably the secret to this DOC's famed quality.

Topography

The tail of the Appennines characterises Basilicata, rocky, mountainous with various valleys leading to the Mediterranean, some lush and green, some arrid and abandoned depending on the presence, or lack of water.

Soils

Is rich and full of minerals due to the underlying volcanic rock. Some areas particluarly suited to vinegrowing because of its steep slopes and thin soils.

Average annual production

less than 500,000 HL
Basilicata Placeholder
Basilicata

Grapes

Aglianico

Description

One of the 3 noble Italian grapes (others Nebbiolo and Sangiovese) but perhaps the least understood and exhaulted. Some say derived from the word "Hellenicum" (from Greece) others say Gauranico which was a type of Falernian, according to Pliny. Both Campania and Basilicata dispute its real home, but in realty the two grape growing areas are very close and can be considered one large area, both high in altitude and with volcanic soils. Medium thick skin resists Botrytis well into the Autumn (very late for a hot climate) and developing wonderful complexity with cool nights and warm days. Tendency to high levels of tannins and acids, giving it good ageing potential.

Principle Wines

Aglianico del Vulture
Greco

Description

See Campania

Principle Wines

See Campania
Malvasia Bianca

Description

See Tuscany

Principle Wines

See Tuscany
Muller Thurgau

Description

See International

Principle Wines

See International
Primitivo

Description

See Puglia

Principle Wines

See Puglia
Sangiovese

Description

See Tuscany

Principle Wines

See Tuscany

Major Appellations DOCG/DOC

Aglianico del Vulture DOC

Description

Aglianico derives from Hellenic meaning from Greece. It is arguably the South's only noble grape and consequent wine of world class quality. Very distictive in flavour: black pepper, mature black fruit with high levels of tannin and acid. Vulture is the name of the extinct Volcano around which many of the vineyards lie – awesome landscapes.

Principle Wines

Aglianico
Matera DOC

Description

A recent multi DOC making blends and varietal wines of the above grapes. Not the prestige of Vulture but it does have the flexibilty to make various styles. "Moro" is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and local red varieties. Matera is a historic town near the Puglian border famous for its recent cave dwellings in a massive ravine.

Principle Wines

Malvasia Bianca, Greco, Aglianico, Primitivo, Sangiovese
Terre dell'Alta Val d'Agri DOC

Description

Situated on the Campanian order, the vineyards are up to 800m. The styles are mostly blends of international and local varieties

Principle Wines

Merlot, Cabernet, Aglianico

IGT Appellations

Grottino di Roccanova
Basilicata