Basilicata sits at the arch of Italy's boot like shape and while not a major wine region, it does lay claim to one of Italy's iconic red wines. The most famous landmark in Basilicata is the Monte Vulture, which is also the sight of of the regions most famous vineyards. Planted to the indigenous Aglianico grape and produced under the DOCG Aglianico del Vulture, this inky dark and intense wine delivers both structure and impactful flavor. The best are dark brooding wines that require years to unwind and flesh out but the time is rewarding, especially for those who enjoy bold and terroir distinctive wines. The Aglianico is grown on the slopes of Mount Vulture at between 1600 and 2000 ft ASL, which tempers the heat of the region and provides diurnal relief to sustain needed structural acidity and an extended ripening period to develop finer tannins and more nuanced aromatics and flavor compounds. The extinct volcano is emblematic of the rich volcanic soils and alluviums where local varieties and more recent imports seem to thrive happily. Though Basilicata has an ancient winemaking tradition dating back to Phoenecian and Phocean settlements, it is one of Italy's smallest wine producing regions and onlt recently maing waves in the International marketplace. For the longest time it was really known for just the wines of Aglianico del Vulture. Modern winemaking in the last few decades have contributed to more balanced, complex and cleaner wines from what was once a rough and rustic tradition. Aglianico is one of Italy's prime quality red wine grapes and the potential is enormous in Basilicata but other varieties show good potential as well. White wines and rosatos are also showing improvement, offering a classic southern styled white with more body and flesh than their northern cousins. Several producers are universally recognized for their consistent quality include Paternoster (Tommasi), D'Angelo, Cantina del Notaio and Basilisco. More recently, they have been joined by Carato Venusio, Falesco (Antinori), Fantini, Cerro, Re Manfredi, Vigneti, Titolo and Elena Fucci. Some of the grapes are less familiar but that is the intriguing part about the region that makes exploring these wines so much fun. So, if you want a little walk on the "wild side", Basilicata is definitely one of those deviations you'd want to explore. Here, Malvasia, Moscato Bianco, Pinot Grigio are joined by Greco, Fiano, Falanghina, Bambino Bianco, Moscato Giallo, and the ubiquitous Trebbiano Bianco. Red grapes other than include Malvasia Nera, Ciliegiolo, and Bombino Nero, with small plantings of International varieties like Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. The rain falls mainly in winter and drains through the porous volcanic soils, creating reserves for the growing season to come, especially the rather warm Summers. The vineyards are cooled by winds coming off of both the Tyrrhennean and Adriatis Seas, which along with elevation provides for dry growing conditions and large diurnal variations. The extended growing season created by the climatic influences means that Aglianico is often harvested into November. 

As for the flavorof these wines from Basilicata....They vary from fresher more fruit driven red wines that can be enjoyed within the first few years after release to more intensely structured reds that require extended cellaring to fully evolve and be appreciated for the complexity they are capable of achieving. Expect more red fruits and brighter plum in the easier drinking versions and more dark fruits like blackberries and dark cherry in the more structured versions. Pepper spice is common in the fresher versions and oak spices are more evident in the more structured releases. As for the white wines, they tend to have more body or texture than their northerly neighbors with fruit that tends to stone and even tropical accents. Fragrant and floral with mineral notes deriving from elements in the soil geology and high tartaric acid content. Some fresh rosato and sparkling wines as well as delicious dessert wines are also produced in the region. Basilicata has a lot to offer in regionally unique experiences like Spumante made by Method Tradicionale 100% from Falanghina grapes, providing a distinctively regional sparkling wine of fine quality.