📍 Apulia

Apulia (Puglia) is a region in the south-east of Italy between the Adriatic and Ionian seas and a wine region with an IGT indication of the same name, IGT Puglia. According to the official list of the Italian Ministry of Agriculture (March 2026), which matches the EU eAmbrosia register, it has 32 designations of origin — 4 DOCG and 28 DOC. Another 6 wines hold IGT status, among them Salento.

The region's best-known grape is Primitivo. The Primitivo di Manduria DOC, in the provinces of Taranto and Brindisi, requires at least 85% of this variety, and the riserva is aged for 24 months, at least 9 of them in wood. The sweet Primitivo di Manduria Dolce Naturale is made only from Primitivo: the grapes may be partly dried, and residual sugar has to be at least 50 g/l. It has held DOCG status since 2011.

The other three DOCGs are around the castle of Castel del Monte. The red Rosso Riserva contains at least 65% Nero di Troia and is aged for two years, one of them in wood. Nero di Troia Riserva is at least 90% Nero di Troia, and Bombino Nero at least 90% Bombino Nero.

On the Salento peninsula the main red grape is Negroamaro: in the Salice Salentino DOC without a varietal name it makes up at least 75%.

Why it matters to you. «Dolce Naturale» on a Primitivo label means a sweet wine with at least 50 g/l of sugar. A grape name in the designation — Primitivo, Nero di Troia, Bombino Nero — shows the backbone of the wine. Every DOCG bottle carries a state control strip. Reds are served at 15–18 °C.