Hi guys,
I did some research on Southern Italian wines and compiled those which look like typical for these regions: Campania, Puglia, Basilicata, Calabria and Sicily. I will be glad if you kindly find a minute to comment on my choice.
My goal is to try those really typical for every mentioned region and of course I want to focus on the best ones within my budget. Since I will spend about a week in each region let’s say there’s a budget of US$12-15 for a bottle of “daily” wine and US$20-30 for a bottle of a “souvenir” wine to take back home.
I want to try both - red and white ones, as for the taste style - between 2 equally good wines I will prefer the one which is sweeter (e.g., Moscato, Riesling) vs. dry (e.g., Cabernet, Chardonnay). However, if in some region the best variant within my budget is a dry wine - I’ll be fine with that. OK, so here is my compilation - with particular names [in brackets]:
CAMPANIA
Red
- Piedirosso, earth [Campi Flegrei DOC] - they say Piedirosso is “softer” than Aglianico
- Aglianico, earth - in particular Taurasi [Falerno del Massico]
- Tintore de Tramonti, earth - they say it’s very rare and worth to try
- Casavecchia, fruit
- Scianscinoso, fruit
White
- Fiano, fruit [di Avellino]
- Greco, fruit [di Tufo]
- Falanghina, fruit [Falerno del Massico Bianco]
PUGLIA (they say wines are not the strongest side of this region, however several are worth to try)
Red
- Primitivo, fruit [Primitivo di Manduria]
- Negroamaro, fruit [Salice Salentino - a highly recommended one]
- Uva/Nero de Troia, earth [Castel del Monte DOC]
White
Not aware of any good ones, which is a pity given that Puglia is a seafood region of Italy
BASILICATA (also not much of a wine region)
Red
- Aglianico, earth [del Vulture - a highly recommended one]
White
Not aware of any good ones, however Basilicata is mainly a meat region, so not a big deal
CALABRIA
Red
- Magliocco, fruit
- Gaglioppo, fruit [Ciro DOC Rosso]
White
- Greco di Bianco, fruit - a highly recommended dessert wine, which can’t be easily bought though
SICILY
Red
- Perricone, earth
- Nero d’Avola, fruit [Planeta La Segreta]
- Nerello, fruit - they say Nerello Mascalese grapes is especially good [Etna Rosso DOC - a highly recommended one]
- Frappato, fruit
White
- Zibibbo, fruit [Passito di Pantelleria - a very highly recommended one; Moscato di Pantelleria - a highly recommended one]
- Grillo, fruit [Stemmari Grillo]
Please feel free to comment both grapes and particular wines in brackets - any help is very much appreciated, specifically difference in taste, quality, etc.
Thank you!