The Italy Wine Project

Regions / Basilicata

DOCStill huntingNear impossible

Matera DOC

IL PROGETTODOCMATERAAAIT56947453Denominazione di Origine Controllata

No strip issued. I'm still hunting a bottle.

A catch-all DOC covering the eastern half of Basilicata, better known for its cave city than its wine. The strongest wines are the Primitivo bottlings from the warm coastal plain, which taste like a slightly leaner Manduria: ripe black plum, fig, cocoa, soft tannin and moderate acidity. The Moro is a Cabernet-Merlot-Sangiovese blend in an international style, and the Greco whites are simple, citrusy and fresh. Handy for a critic because it's a Primitivo you can taste outside Puglia.

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If you make Matera, import it, or know who does, the form takes two minutes and I reply to every one.

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Bottles I'm chasing

  • Tenuta Parco dei Monaci

    Matera Primitivo 'Monacello'

    Estate on the edge of the Matera park; ripe, plummy Primitivo with a savory, dusty edge and a warm finish.

    $15 to $22Wine-Searcher
  • Cantine Dragone

    Matera Moro

    Long-established Matera producer; Cabernet Sauvignon-led blend with cassis, tobacco and a firm, dry finish.

    $15 to $22Wine-Searcher