Basilicata (8)

Basilicata: Here, winemaking has been practiced for 2500 years.

In Basilicata, wine was being produced before the Romans conquered all of Italy and then the Mediterranean. It was the Phoenicians and Greeks who brought viticulture to Southern Italy. The red variety Aglianico was probably cultivated here as early as the 6th century BC.

Location and structure of the Basilicata wine region

The Basilicata wine region is located in southern Italy, figuratively speaking, at the sole of the Italian boot. The terrain is shaped by the foothills of the Apennines. To the south, the region borders the Ionian Sea. In the west, it has a short coastal strip along the Tyrrhenian Sea.

To the northwest, Campania adjoins Basilicata. To the east lies Apulia, and to the southwest Calabria. Despite its southern location, the mountainous region is cooler than most other areas of Italy. This means a prolonged maturation cycle for viticulture, with a late harvest time for Italy extending until the end of October.

Politically, the region is divided into two provinces: the smaller Matera in the southeast and the larger Potenza, which covers the rest of the area. The majority of viticulture is concentrated in the coastal areas of the Ionian Sea, the provincial capital of the same name Matera, and the area around the Vulture, an extinct volcano in the province of Potenza. The volcanic soil provides very good conditions for viticulture. In particular, the main red variety Aglianico finds ideal growth conditions here.

Characteristics of viticulture in the region

Viticulture in Basilicata is marked by great diversity and a very fragmented structure. Many plots consist of only one hectare or even less. Here, winemaking is often practiced as a secondary occupation. The heterogeneity and fragmentation is also the reason why there are only a few designated DOC and DOCG areas in Basilicata.

It is difficult to find contiguous areas with a uniform character. In terms of cultivation, the winemakers predominantly rely on the classic stake training. Modern trellising systems are hardly found. Many wine experts see in the traditional method one of the secrets behind the best wines in the region.

Red and white grape varieties in Basilicata

In the Basilicata wine region, mainly red grape varieties are cultivated. The most important of these varieties is Aglianico. It has a considerable age even for the traditional Mediterranean region and was already grown in Italy 2,500 years ago. The variety arrived in Basilicata as well as Apulia and Campania through Greek colonies in present-day Calabria.

From Aglianico, full-bodied red wines with fruity character and a multi-faceted acidity profile are produced. Other red varieties include the indigenous Bombino Nero, the widely grown Ciliegiolo in Southern Italy, and the Malvasia Nera di Basilicata. International varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot are also found in smaller quantities in the region's vineyards.

White wine plays a smaller role in the region's viticulture, accounting for less than 10 percent of the production volume. The white grape varieties grown include the indigenous Bombino Bianco, Fiano, and Greco Bianco, as well as Malvasia Bianca di Basilicata. Additionally, Muscat Blanc or Yellow Muscat as well as Trebbiano are also grown.

Wine from Basilicata at VINELLO

Many people are still completely unfamiliar with wines from Basilicata. So if you love Italian wine, here’s your chance to discover something truly new. We particularly recommend tasting the dry DOC wines made from Aglianico that define the style of the region. These include wines from the Vigneti Del Vulture winery, such as the Piano del Cerro Aglianico del Vulture DOC or the Pipoli Aglianico del Vulture DOC.

Another recommended Aglianico is the elegant Titolo Aglianico del Vulture DOC from the Elena Fucci winery. If you prefer a white wine, take a look at the light summer wine Pipoli Greco Fiano IGT made from Fiano and Greco Bianco grape varieties.

Interesting facts about Basilicata

Which Basilicata wine has DOC or DOCG status?

Only one DOCG wine is produced in Basilicata: the Aglianico del Vulture Superiore. Four areas have DOC status: Aglianico del Vulture, Terre dell'Alta Val d'Agri, Matera, and Grottino di Roccanova.

How large is the vineyard area of the Basilicata wine region?

In Basilicata, wine is grown on an area of about 11,000 hectares. Thus, the wine region is one of the smallest in Italy.

How much wine is produced annually in Basilicata?

The Basilicata wine region produces around 80,000 hectoliters of wine per year.

Buy Basilicata wines online at VINELLO

We would like to invite you to try the popular wines from Basilicata. Browse through our selection at your leisure and find your new favorite wine at VINELLO today. We are proud to present you with a large assortment that includes wines from various parts of the world.

We place great emphasis on customer satisfaction. Therefore, we guarantee that your shopping experience with us is secure. Additionally, we ensure fast delivery so that your requested package reaches you without long wait times. Feel free to make a consultation request to our sommeliers – we are happy to assist you!