RedLead grape in 7
Nero di Troia
Also called Uva di Troia.
The red of northern Puglia, centred on Castel del Monte around the octagonal Norman castle. It ripens very late, holds high acid and carries hard tannin, all of which made it useful as a blending component to send north and difficult to sell as itself. Handled with patience it gives dark cherry, black pepper and violets over a firm structure.
Worth knowing
It was one of the last major southern varieties to get its own serious appellations. The Castel del Monte reds built on it were only promoted to DOCG in 2011, which for a grape grown there since the Middle Ages is a long wait.
Where it is allowed9 appellations
Puglia9
- BarlettaDOClead grapemin 70%Still hunting
- Cacc'e Mmitte di LuceraDOClead grape35 to 60%Still hunting
- Castel del MonteDOClead grapeStill hunting
- Castel del Monte Nero di Troia RiservaDOCGlead grapemin 90%Still hunting
- Castel del Monte Rosso RiservaDOCGlead grapemin 65%Still hunting
- Orta NovaDOCStill hunting
- Rosso di CerignolaDOClead grapemin 55%Still hunting
- San SeveroDOCStill hunting
- Tavoliere delle Puglie (Tavoliere)DOClead grapemin 65%, 90% for the varietalStill hunting