Apulia

Apulia extends along the Adriatic from the base of the boot to the heel. This region produces the most wine in the South, with vines growing on the flattest areas. It also boasts the largest array of grape vareties in the South, with reds outnumbering whites four to one. Apulia has been granted 24 DOC's, but only 2% of the region's wines are classified. This means that more than 250 million gallons of wine produced annually are made into industrial alcohol, or into industrial musts used in blending. Two of the most popular grapes grown in Apulia are Negro Amaro (meaning black bitter) and Primitivo, a grape related to California's Zinfandel. Salice Salintino is the most well known of Apulia's DOC's and is making a big hit in the export market as a best buy for daily table wine. It is a full bodied wine rich in fruit, consistent in quality with the ability to mellow in the bottle 5 - 6 years.

Campania

Campania is easily regognized for its capital, Naples. It is one of the few regions that imports more than it exports. In classic times the "Kingdom Naples" ruled the vines, but the fall of the "Two Sicilies" in 1860 began a decline that Campania is still in the midst of. Despite its extremely fertile volcanic soil, Campania's yields are low. This can be attributed to extreme poverty and abandoned vineyards. Some say it is due to the corruption (Mafia) in this area. Campania's climate is highly variable ranging from hot and dry near the sea to cool and damp as the altitude increases. Though drought can be a problem, most hilly zones have ample precipitation, sometimes too much, resulting in thin wine. Campania's claim to fame is the Mastroberdino Family with the most distinguished wines of Italy's South: Greco di Tufo and Fiano di Avellino, showing subtle hints of pear, spices and toasted hazelnuts that ages well 3-6 years and more, and Taurasi, one of Italy's newest DOCG's, an honor well deserved for this powerful red from the Aglianico grape. Directly to the south of Naples lies the sleeping giant, Mt. Vesuvius. Here the famous Lacryma Christi has gained a good reutation since its DOC status in 1983. Again, The Mastroberdino Family produces popular versions of this vino da tavola (table wine) in a dry white, rose' and red, these wines are gaining great popularity in the US as affordable every day wines.

Basilicata

Basilicata is located on the arch of the boot and surrounded on three sides by Calabria, Campania and Puglia, and the Ionian Sea to the South East with their climate varying to the extremes of hot, cold and windy. The city of Potenza at 800 meters often being the coldest Italian city year round. This very poor region of Italy grows Aglianico on the slopes of Monte Vulture (now DOC) creating one of Italy's finest red wines, Aglianico del Vulture. This is best in the Riserva style with full flavor, deep extracts of color and the potential to age 5 - 10 years. The Aglianico grape also produces a sweet sparkling wine rarely seen outside of Italy.

Calabria

Calabria is the toe of the boot with most of its land surrounded by water. Viticulture is not a priority in this region, olive oil, grains, citrus and vegetables are the main agricultural products. Calabria is popular for vacationers who love the local wine, therefore, the Calabrese are not motivated to impove the qaulity of their wines. 90% of the land is steep highland and 742 KM is rugged coast line often with severe weather. The dominant grape grown is the Gaglioppo, an antique vine often blended with other dark and white varietals. The most famous wine from this area is Ciro', the stuff of legends. Ciro' or its predecessor Krimisa was the wine drunk in celebration at the early Olympic Games. Modern Ciro' is much improved. It is produced from the Greco grape, resulting in fresh appealing wine. Calabria's finest wine is the Greco di Bianco, a rare sweet wine very difficult to find.