Discretely nestled between Campania, Puglia and Calabria, Basilicata sometimes runs the risk of being overlooked when speaking of Italy's most important wine regions. And yet, with its ancient oenological history and its ambition to enhance its territory more and more, this region is emerging in the production panorama of the Belpaese thanks to a favourable terroir and its flagship: Aglianico del Vulture. 

For those wishing to take a journey of discovery through the wines of Basilicata, here is a guide to their origins and characteristics, the most important vineyards and tasting tips!

Discovering an underrated region: Basilicata's terroir and main grape varieties

When speaking of Basilicata, comparisons almost come naturally. In terms of size, this region ranks 14th, between Abruzzo and Marche, while in terms of wine production it cannot keep up with the more productive Veneto and Puglia.

However, discovering an oenological heritage does not mean making comparisons or complimenting the first ones in the ranking, but rather exploring the uniqueness of each production reality. And Basilicata has many of them, starting with its terroir.

It is characterised by the balanced combination of mountainous and hilly terrain, which gives rise to continental-type climatic conditions, with hot summers and cold winters and a considerable temperature range between seasons.

However, there are specific nuances depending on the various production areas, namely:

• Vulture: the best known and most extensive area, it has a vineyard area that covers at least 60% of the territory. It is located in the province of Potenza, along the hills, in an area strongly influenced by the presence of the inactive volcano of the same name. Ancient eruptions have created sediments rich in mineral salts and sand, and soils with excellent drainage capacity. The climate tends to be sunny and mild, typical of Mediterranean areas. The only regional DOCG, Aglianico del Vulture, was born here.

• Val d'Agri: also located in the province of Potenza, it is characterised by hilly relief where vines are grown at an altitude of around 600-800 m a.s.l. In terms of climate, it has hot, dry and short summers and long, rainy and cold winters. Temperature swings between seasons help to enhance the aromatic tones of the grapes, resulting in excellent wines, including the local DOC, Terre dell'Alta Val d'Agri. The soil is deep and fertile, composed of a mixture of silt, sand and clay.

• Materano: home of the Matera DOC and its various manifestations, this area is concentrated in the province of the same name. The climate here has characteristics of Mediterranean areas, i.e. hot, sunny and dry summers and winters that tend to be mild, with little rain. From a geological point of view, limestone and clay soils prevail.

In addition to Aglianico - the cultivation of which takes up about half of all regional wine production - other grape varieties in Basilicata are Malvasia Bianca and Nera, Greco, Primitivo, Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, as well as Moscato, from which an excellent sweet sparkling wine is made.

The best wines of Basilicata to bring to the table

Although it does not fail to offer wine lovers all kinds of wines, Basilicata is best known for its reds, including, of course, the unfailing Aglianico del Vulture DOCG, an intense and structured wine that is a must for meat lovers.

A bottle of 'Teodosio' Aglianico del Vulture DOC 2020 is an excellent choice for those who want to taste the wines of Basilicata or give a gift to a special person. This full-bodied, violet-red coloured red wine is loved precisely for the power of its organoleptic notes, which are obtained thanks to the 12-month maturation period in oak barrels and a further 12 months in the bottle. Hints of cherry and plum are complemented by a rich, enveloping sip with a lingering finish.

Like many other reds with character, Aglianico goes well with red meat and game dishes, making it a perfect companion for late summer barbecues, a plate of roast beef or roast game, with a side of potatoes or sautéed vegetables. For those who want to consume it also in the cold months, it is well suited to soft stews and tasty meat pies.

When the maturation period becomes longer, the Aglianico is enriched with even more inviting nuances. In a sip of "Basilisco" Aglianico del Vulture Superiore DOCG 2016, this care in exalting the scents is given by the maturation of more than 14 months and the subsequent refinement in the bottle of 12. The important structure is noticeable right from the olfactory examination, which reveals balsamic notes and intense scents of violets, red fruits, plums, blackberries and cherries. The taste is complex and refined, persistent on the finish.

Game continues to be a good match, but what really enhances this wine is the pairing with long-aged cheeses.

However, leaving the DOC panorama does not mean abandoning quality, on the contrary: among other interesting denominations, one can find an excellent white for fish lovers, such as the 'Il Preliminare' Basilicata IGT 2022.

Born from a blend of Aglianico del Vulture (subjected to white vinification), Malvasia, Moscato and Chardonnay, this wine conquers the senses with a riot of tropical scents, which are released in the glass with notes of mango, papaya and pineapple. The taste reveals a savoury and refreshing identity that immediately entices you to take a second sip, especially in the company of the right dishes. The perfect ally for sushi or other raw fish dinners, it also proves ideal when delicate fillets, slices of crusted salmon, fish salads or fish pie arrive on the table. For a more light-hearted pairing of food and wines from Basilicata, you can also opt for the much-loved fish and chips!

From ancient Lucania to today: the history of wine in Basilicata

As mentioned in the previous paragraphs, it was the Lucanians who started the first forms of viticulture in Basilicata, later enhanced by the Greeks, who colonised the area in the 8th century BC and introduced the most important varieties today, such as Aglianico and Malvasia.

After the Greek inheritance was picked up by the Ancient Romans - who went on to further develop cultivation and winemaking techniques - an important contribution to production was made by the spread of the monastic orders, which gave rise to wines of ever higher quality, appreciated by the local nobility. Vineyards and cellars multiplied during the Middle Ages, protected by the Counts of Anjou, while Aglianico - the 'Barolo of the South' - enjoyed enormous success during the Renaissance, declining into the local variant of Vulture in the 19th century.

The 20th century marked a period of recovery after phylloxera and the World Wars, during which commitment and study led to a modernisation of wine-making techniques, while respecting ancient traditions. And it is this passion, inherent in the local winegrowers, that has brought the attention of critics and enthusiasts back to Basilicata as a small but worthy wine region.

Now that you know all about the wines of Basilicata, don't miss the Italian proposals selected for you by Svinando!