Region Guide: Basilicata, Italy
DOCG wines of Basilicata
Aglianico del Vulture Superiore DOCG
DOC wines of Basilicata
Aglianico del Vulture DOC | Grottino di Roccanova DOC | Matera DOC | Terre dell'Alta Val d'Agri DOC
IGT wines of Basilicata
Basilicata IGT
Basilicata may not boast a great deal of variety when it comes to wine production, but it hardly matters. Its flagship red is highly impressive and worthy of global attention. Aglianico del Vulture DOC, from the Aglianico variety, is produced in the north of the province of Potenza, around the the slopes of extinct volcano Monte Vulture and is capable of producing deep, well structured wines that can improve for up to ten years beyond the vintage.
Located in the South of Italy, Basilicata is a region of unspoiled beauty. It borders Puglia to the East and Campania to the West. It has sea access at Maratea and also at Golfo di Tranto. Forests, mountains, lakes and
Like elsewhere in Italy, Basilicata has produced wines for thousands of years. The region has always struggled with low levels of investment and consequently heavy migration out of the area. As such, the local market for wine has always been challenging any new wineries tend to focus on exports.
A hot climate prevails but due to the altitude of around 500 metres, evenings are cool and fresh and serve to cool down the fruit.
There are only around 40 producers operating here, the majority of which are small to medium sized wineries. There are only a few large operations.
Outside of the Vulture there is some movement, albeit on a small scale. In Val Camastra, a hilly area in the south of the region, a new winery has set up with plantings of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Muller Thurgau and Gewurtztraminer. Further south and east again, there are fairly good examples of Syrah and Primitivo being produced but quantities are low and they are rarely seen outside of the region.