Basilicata Wines: Discovering The Excellence

Basilicata ancient history of wine-making
In Basilicata, the grapevine has been grown ever since 1200-1300 BC. For this reason the region was also called Œnotria, from the Greek οίνος òinos, “wine”. The numerous family businesses have undergone an entrepreneurial-oriented conversion over the past thirty years. This has led farmers to leave the less valuable varietals aside, in favour of a more specialised produce.

Aglianico del Vulture DOC della Basilicata
In the Northern part of Basilicata, Mount Vulture – an extinct volcano – and its several water springs make the territory of Vulture an ideal farming land as well as an important environmental resource. The potassium-rich volcanic soil is particularly suitable for wine-farming, especially for Aglianico del Vulture, one of the gems of Italian wine-making. Aglianico del Vulture was the first regional product to be awarded a DOC (Controlled Designation of Origin). In 2010, a DOCG (Controlled and Guaranteed Designation of Origin) was appointed to Aglianico Superiore and Riserva, aged 3 and 5 years respectively. Aglianico del Vulture is an ageable wine known for its intense ruby red colour which tinges with garnet with the passing of time. It is a full-bodied wine, with a high alcohol content and an excellent minerality. Pansy, morello cherry, plums and red currant can be detected in the bouquet.

The wines of Matera
In the Western part of Basilicata, in the province of Matera, the grapevine is grown along the Metapontino coast, stretching up to the hilly inland within 700m of altitude. Primitivo is an indigenous, early variety and the most important in the area. It is harvested between the end of Augusta and the beginning of September. Primitivo wine has a highly saturated red colour, a full body and a high alcohol content. Its taste, which is sharp and elegant, becomes velvety as time goes by. The Matera designation encompasses eleven types of wine: from Matera Primitivo, which uses 90% Primitivo grapes, to Matera Rosso, which is Sangiovese-based. Matera Moro is made with 60% Cabernet sauvignon, 10% Merlot and a minimum 20% Primitivo. Matera Greco is 85% Greco bianco as well as other white varieties. Matera Bianco is produced with Malvasia bianca di Basilicata and Greco bianco. The same grapes are also used for Matera Spumante.