Guide to Wine-Tasting in Puglia, Part III

From the Brass Tacks Department aka Where Are We and Where the Hell Are We Going

Whereas the last two parts focus on the general wine-tasting situation in Puglia, this part will focus on the specific information needed to effectively plan your own wine-tasting tour around Puglia. First, you will need to choose a region; second, you'll need to choose which wineries you visit and make reservations; third, you'll need to map out your journey.

The best regions to taste wine in Puglia, in my opinion, are Salice Salentino, Manduria, and Castel del Monte. These three regions have some of the best wineries in Puglia. Further, they are small enough as to not require much driving time between wineries.

Salice Salentino

Located in the southern part of Puglia, this region focuses the Negroamaro, Primitivo (the grape whose DNA is identical to California’s Zinfandel on a genetic level), Aleatico, and Malvasia Nera grapes. It is my favorite region in Puglia to taste wine because it has so many incredible wineries in one location. Further, it is easily accessible from Lecce. Salice Salentino is practically the same city as Guagnano, which is home to a few truly great wineries. Here is a list of the wineries that I know welcome visitors:

Apollonio Winery
Via San Pietro in Lama, 7
73047 Monteroni di Lecce (LE)
Tel. + 39 0832 327182

Cantele
via vincenzo balsam, 12
73100 Guagnano (Le)
tel.: +39 0832 705010

Cantine de Falco
Via Milano, 25
73051 Novoli (Le)
tel.: +39 0832 711597

Cosimo Taurino
Italia S.S. 605
73010 Guagnano
Tel.: +39 832 706490

Feudi di Guagnano
Via Cellino 3
73010 Guagnano (Le)
Tel.: + 39 0832 705 422

Leone de Castris
Click Here For Directions
Tel. + 39 0832/731112-13 e + 39 0832/733608

Manduria

The land of Primitivo and the famous Primitivo di Manduria DOC, which has been capable of astounding the world-class palates of professionals, the city of Manduria is itself a quiet town. Many wineries that produce the DOC source their grapes from Manduria but are not located in the city. However, in my opinion some of the best producers of the Primitivo di Manduria DOC can be found in and around the city.

Cantina Savese
Via I. Prato, 3
74028 Sava TA
0999726232

Consorzio Produttori i Vini
(this winery is fabulous yet doesn't export it's wine to the U.S.: A definite must taste)
via Fabio Massimo, 19
74024 Manduria (Ta)
Tel. +39.099.9735332

Racemi
Via Santo Stasi Primo - Z.I.
Manduria (TA)
Tel: 099 9711660


Castel di Monte

This region is in the north of Puglia and specializes in the Negroamaro, Primitivo, Aglianico, Malvasia Nera, Nero di Troia, and Verdeca grapes. Home to the stunning, octagonally shaped Castel di Monte built by Frederick the Great but never used, the area is one of the most picturesque in Puglia. The countryside is more hilly than the south’s, aka Salento’s, and its soil has more iron.

Alberto Longo
S. Provinciale Pietramontecorvino Km 4
Contrada Padulecchia - Fattoria Cavalli
71036 Lucera (FG)
Casella Postale n. 64
Tel.: 0881 539057

Torrevento
S.S. 170, Km 28
70033 Corato (BA)
Tel. +39 080 8980923 - 080 8980929


Making a Map

Because tourist offices do not provide visitors with detailed maps of roads and winery locations, you have to make your own map. The fact that Google Maps does not accurately represent many winery addresses on its maps makes this a challenge. Cross reference information from the web sites with Google Maps to get the most accurate results. The best option however is to upgrade your rental car so that it has GPS. This combined with asking for directions from each winery that you visit for the next winery, will make your navigating nearly full proof.

This ends this edition of the Guide to Wine Tasting in Puglia. As you may know (if you’ve been reading this blog for a while), I’ll likely return to the subject soon. If you have any questions about wine tasting in Puglia, don’t hesitate to comment or send me an email. Salute!