Puglia

Puglia is a Denominazione di origine controllata (DOC, or controlled designation of origin) wine region in southern Italy. Located along the heel of the boot of Italy, Puglia has long been the engine room of Italian wine production, with many co-cooperatives, but in recent times there has been a quality push with both DOC and IGT (Indicazione geografica tipica) appellations producing some world-class wines. The principal wine towns are Lecce, Martina Franca, Manduria and Salice Salentino. 60% of production is red wine, of which Primitivo is the flagship grape, along with robust reds from Negro Amaro and Aglianico. White grapes include Bombino Bianco and Verdeca along with Chardonnay in the IGT appellations. If awards were given out for such matters, over the last two decades Puglia would likely win Italy's most improved trophy hands-down.