Study / Region guides
Basilicata
1 DOCG and 4 DOCs. Examined in Unit 2: Central and Southern Italy.
- Borders
- Campania, Puglia, Calabria
- Wine provinces
- Potenza, Matera
The land
Basilicata is mountainous and thinly populated, tucked between Campania, Puglia and Calabria.
Monte Vulture, an extinct volcano in the north, is where the wine comes from. Its vineyards sit between 200 and 700 metres on volcanic soil, which makes this a cool place by southern standards. The plain around Matera in the east is warmer.
The grapes
Aglianico is nearly the whole story. Primitivo grows around Matera.
Which grape leads which appellation
- Aglianico 2
- Aglianico del Vulture Superiore, Aglianico del Vulture
- Merlot 1
- Terre dell'Alta Val d'Agri
- Sangiovese 1
- Grottino di Roccanova
In the vineyard and cellar
Aglianico del Vulture is picked late and needs time, in barrel and in bottle, to settle its tannin and acidity.
History and trade
This has long been one of Italy's poorest regions and much of its wine was sold in bulk. A small number of estates around Barile and Rionero carry its name.
The DOCGs
Oldest first. The year is when each one became a DOCG.
| Appellation | DOCG since | Grapes | Where |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aglianico del Vulture Superiore | 2010 | Aglianico (100%) | Potenza |
The DOCs
| Appellation | DOC since | Grapes | Where |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aglianico del Vulture | 1971 | Aglianico (100%) | Potenza |
| Grottino di Roccanova | 2009 | Sangiovese (min 60%), Cabernet Sauvignon, Malvasia Nera, Montepulciano; Malvasia Bianca for the white | Potenza |
| Matera | 2005 | Sangiovese, Primitivo, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Aglianico; Greco Bianco, Malvasia Bianca | Matera |
| Terre dell'Alta Val d'Agri | 2003 | Merlot (min 50%), Cabernet Sauvignon (min 30%), Malvasia Nera | Potenza |
Facts that get tested
The kind of thing an exam asks about Basilicata. Cover the answers and try them.
What is Monte Vulture?
An extinct volcano. Its volcanic soils and vineyards at up to 700 metres give Aglianico del Vulture its acidity and long life.
Besides Aglianico del Vulture, which of these is a Basilicata DOC?
Matera. Basilicata also has Terre dell'Alta Val d'Agri and Grottino di Roccanova.
Think you've got it?
Twenty questions on Basilicata, with every wrong answer drawn from the region and its neighbours.
Quiz me on Basilicata