Wines of Basilicata

History, territory and climate of Basilicata

Lucanian wines can boast ancient origins. Already around the 11th century BC, the region that occupied the lands of today's Basilicata, part of Calabria and part of Campania, was known as Enotria. It was probably the inhabitants of Oenotria who began the long process of domestication of the vine and gave rise to the first archaic forms of viticulture. Subsequent Greek colonisation, which began around the 8th century B.C., brought the Hellenic culture of bush-trained vine cultivation, pruning techniques and more advanced winemaking practices to these lands. The tradition of viticulture continued its development under Roman rule, within a cultural and social context in which wine played a very important role. Over the following centuries, the customs of vine cultivation have been handed down from generation to generation to the present day. Today, there are about 5,000 hectares under vine in the region and they represent one of the excellences of the agricultural landscape of Basilicata. From a climatic point of view, this is an area with unique and special characteristics for a southern region. While in the short stretch of the Ionian coast a typically Mediterranean climate prevails, in the more inland areas, where vines are grown, the climate is continental, with cold winters and temperate summers. Precisely these particular characteristics make it a land of choice for many grape varieties that prefer cool climates and good temperature ranges between day and night.

The Vulture

The northern part of the region, on the border with Apulia and Campania, is occupied by the presence of the Monte Vulture massif, whose peak is over 1300 metres above sea level. This is an imposing relief created by a very ancient volcano, now inactive for thousands of years. It encompasses the territory of many municipalities that have always been famous for their excellent wines, including: Rionero, Barile, Rapolla, Ripacandida, Ginestra, Maschito, Forenza, Acerenza, Melfi, Atella, Venosa, Lavello, Palazzo San Gervasio, Banzi, Genzano di Lucania and Montemilone. The territory occupied by the volcanic cone of the same name is crossed by deep valleys that cut its austere profile and softened by the presence of the two volcanic lakes of Monticchio. Vineyards are generally cultivated at an altitude of between 200 and 600 metres above sea level, but there are also plantings that climb to 800 metres and beyond. This is true mountain viticulture, which often requires manual work that cannot be mechanised. The soils are mainly made up of the disintegration of ancient lava rocks, very draining, stony and rich in minerals that are particularly useful for sustaining the vines. The climate, very cool and ventilated, has proved suitable for a late variety such asAglianico, which ripens slowly, accumulating elegant, intense and rich aromas. The origins of this ancient red grape of our southern Italy continue to remain shrouded in mystery. We still do not know for sure whether it is an indigenous southern Italian variety domesticated in ancient times or whether it was brought to the lands of Magna Graecia during Hellenic colonisation.

Aglianico del Vulture: a great wine from Lucania

Today, the wines of Basilicata are finally enjoying a proper reputation and are enjoying great success among wine-lovers, especially thanks to Aglianico, now considered by experts to be among the best red wines of our peninsula. A lover of volcanic soils and continental climate, this variety expresses itself at the highest levels of quality in two areas of choice: in Taurasi in Irpinia and on the slopes of the Vulture volcano. It is a vine that produces highly prized grapes, which make it possible to produce reds with an elegant profile, intense aromas, a dense tannic texture and considerable freshness. Precisely these characteristics make it a structured and powerful red, which needs a long period of ageing, preferably in wood, in order to reach full maturity and express its full potential. Together with Barolo, Taurasi and Brunello di Montalcino, this wine from Lucania is one of the Italian reds with the greatest capacity for ageing, enriching its aromatic aspect with refined tertiary notes. Among the most famous producers in this area are the Paternoster winery, Cantine del Notaio, Elena Fucci, Basilisco, Michele Laluce, Musto Carmelitano, Ripanero, Grifalco della Lucania, Terre degli Svevi, Camerlengo and Tenuta i Gelsi.

Looking for the best Basilicata wines for sale online? Discover the wide selection on xtraWine and choose the most suitable wine, letting yourself be guided by the information sheets created by our sommeliers.