📍 Murgia

Murgia is a limestone plateau in the centre of Apulia in southern Italy, between Bari and Taranto. It is an upland with karst soils, cracks and caves, where vines grow on reddish, iron-rich earth. Summers are hot and dry, and nights at altitude are cooler.

The main zone is Castel del Monte, named after the octagonal castle of Emperor Frederick II, built in the 13th century and listed by UNESCO. Reds from Uva di Troia (Nero di Troia) and rosés from Bombino Nero are made here; there are DOCGs Castel del Monte Rosso Riserva and Bombino Nero.

Other zones are Gioia del Colle (Primitivo, the same grape as Californian Zinfandel), Gravina, Valle d'Itria, and the whites Locorotondo and Martina Franca. These whites are fresh and light, with floral and herbal notes.

Murgia is part of Apulia. Nearby lies Salento with the red Negroamaro, which gives softer, warmer wines. Reds from Castel del Monte go well with roast lamb and pasta with meat sauce, and white Locorotondo with fish and vegetables. The name Murgia on a label shows that the grapes grew in this very area, which makes it easy to look for similar wines.