The international recognition garnered by some dynamic Puglian winemakers in conjunction with the realization that Puglia’s climate and habitat offer great potential for growing quality grapes has led to a wine rush in Puglia. Wineries from northern Italy and elsewhere have made substantial investments in Puglia in the form of land and vineyard acquisitions, capital improvements and infusions of modern winemaking technologies. Marchesi Antinori and Gianni Zonin are two marquee-name producers that have made substantial investments in wine operations in Puglia recently to great commercial success.

Puglia has 29 DOC wine zones of which more than half (16) are located in the southern-most part of Puglia in what is called the Salento peninsula, the fertile, flat and sun-drenched tip of the “heel” of the “boot” that comprises geographic Italy.

The three main red grape varieties in Puglia are all warm-weather, indigenous varieties - Negroamaro, Nero di troia and Primitivo.

Negroamaro (literally “black bitter’) is the region’s most widely planted variety. it is found primarily in the Salento zone and is used extensively in the production of Puglia’s full-bodied and robust Salice Salentino wine. However, because of extensive experimentation with production and ageing regimens, there is a vast range in styles of Negroamaro. While Negroamaro generally makes robust wines, they can vary considerably in terms of color, acidity and alcohol. Negroamaro is also frequently blended other traditional or international varieties such as Montepulciano, Malvasia Nero and Cabernet Sauvignon.

Primitivo is another widely-planted variety found primarily in the Salento zone and west-central Puglia. Genetically related to Zinfandel found in California, Primitivo is the basis for what is arguably Puglia’s best category of red wine, the exuberant and intense Primitivo di Manduria from the Salento zone.