LATITUDE
LONGITUDE
subregions
Basilicata is a region located in southern Italy. Despite not being as well known as other areas of Italy, it usually produces red wine of the Aglianico variety under the Aglianico del Vulture appellation.
Due to its fertility, viticulture is usually practiced around the now dormant Vulture volcano. The vineyards are generally located on volcanic soils. Although the mountainous terrain and weather conditions make it challenging to grow grapes, the area receives abundant light during the growing season and cool temperatures at harvest time.
Despite the Aglianico del Vulture grape variety's predominance, other types, such as Moscato and Malvasia, are also grown. The latter are usually grown in the Vulture zone and the eastern Bradano Valley. Other grapes that have good development are Primitivo, Sangiovese, Montepulciano and Bombino Nero.
Vineyard Hectares
WINERIES
This region has a continental climate, with dry summers and cold winters. It receives a great deal of sunshine during the growing season, and at harvest time, the vineyards enjoy cooler temperatures, thanks to the Balkan breezes. On the other hand, the Apennines act as a barrier to the air currents coming from the Tyrrhenian Sea.
In this region, winemaking is especially concentrated in the heart of Mount Vulture and its surroundings. There, the volcanic soils give the grapes a unique mineral touch, which is reflected in the wines.
Despite being one of Italy's newest wine regions, several wine cooperatives are now seeking to implement sustainable production methods. One of the most interesting examples is Vitis in Vulture, which has 50 members, all certified for integrated or organic production. The region has also developed an interactive mapping of all Basilicata's vineyards, with the aim of, among other things, community and participatory monitoring of the botrytis pest, as well as essential data to protect biodiversity, such as the occurrence of spontaneous weeds.
Red Grapes Varieties: Aglianico
White Grapes Varieties: Moscato
Three types of wines are developed in the region: red, white and rosé. Each of them reflects the terroir and the type of grapes of each AOC.
Red wines: there is a great diversity of red wine styles.
For example, the wines under the Matera DOC, made with Sangiovese, Primitivo and Cabernet Sauvignon grapes, have a smooth profile in the mouth and a medium body.
On the other hand, DOC Aglianico del Vulture wines reflect the character of the Aglianico grapes with which they are composed, which, together with the volcanic soils, results in wines with a mineral profile and medium to full body.
White wines: The white wines are mainly made from the Malvasia Bianca variety. As a result, the wines have low to moderate acidity. In addition, if dry wines are made, they are refreshing and crisp, while if vinified into sweet wines, they have a ripe pear-oriented flavour profile.
Rosé wines: There are several types of Rosé wines produced in Basilicata:
On the one hand, Rosé wines under the DOC Grottino di Roccanova have a more mineral profile, thanks to the region's volcanic soils.
On the other hand, Rosé wines under DOC Matera have a strong color thanks to the high tannin content of the Primitivo grape, which must be present in a concentration of at least 90%.
The history of winemaking in Basilicata began between the 6th and 7th century BC. At that time, the Greeks introduced the grape known today as Aglianico del Vulture.
The conquest of the territory by the Romans in the mid-4th century BC meant that grape cultivation was limited only to sustaining the lives of the inhabitants of Basilicata. For this reason, wine growing in the region needed more time than in other regions to develop. In fact, it was not until 1971 that the region had its first DOC, Aglianico de Vulture. Since then, DOC wines have become increasingly important in the region.
The next DOC, Terre dell'Alta Val d'Agri, was created only in 2003. Two years later, in July 2005, the DOC Matera was created, and in 2009 was created the last DOC so far: Grottino di Roccanova DOC.
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