IGT Puglia I.G.T. wines awarded at the Gilbert & Gaillard International Challenge

Indicazione geografica tipica

The Puglia IGT designation covers the entire Apulia region in south-east Italy, between the Adriatic and Ionian seas. It spans all six provinces of the region — Bari, Barletta-Andria-Trani, Brindisi, Foggia, Lecce and Taranto — from the Tavoliere plain and the Murge plateau in the north down to the Salento peninsula in the south. It is the broadest of Apulia's geographical indications, alongside five narrower IGTs covering only part of the regional territory (Daunia, Murgia, Salento, Tarantino, Valle d'Itria). The dominant soils are red, iron-rich, well-drained terra rossa over limestone bedrock. The climate is typically Mediterranean, with hot, dry summers, mild winters and sea breezes that temper the warmest days. Plantings combine native varieties such as negroamaro, primitivo, uva di troia, bombino nero and bombino bianco with international varieties including cabernet sauvignon, merlot, syrah and chardonnay.

The wines of this appellation

The designation produces white, rosé and red wines, mostly still, with some lightly sparkling versions and, among the reds and rosés, young fruity wines known as novello. Whites show a straw-yellow colour, a fruity nose and a dry, savoury palate. Rosés range from pale to deeper cherry pink, with a marked fruity nose and a dry, clean palate. Reds display a deep colour, violet-tinged when young and turning garnet with age, a fruity and complex nose, and a harmonious, typical palate. Built from grapes such as primitivo, negroamaro or uva di troia, the fuller-bodied reds can age for a few years, while lighter styles and rosés are best enjoyed young, for their freshness. Whites and rosés pair well with fish, seafood and Mediterranean antipasti; reds suit tomato-based pasta dishes, grilled meats and matured cheeses.