Region: Basilicata

Basilicata, Italy’s third least populous region — only Molise and the Valle d’Aosta have a smaller population — is a mountainous, poor region producing little wine. Basilicata was long characterized by a sole DOC (Denominazione di Origine Controllata) — Aglianico del Vulture — although the number of DOCs in the region has in recent years climbed to four. Aglianico del Vulture remains the region’s only real wine of note, and arguably one of the finest expressions of the thick-skinned Aglianico grape. In 2010, Aglianico del Vulture Superiore was upgraded to DOCG. As a DOCG wine, Aglianico must show a minimum alcohol content of 13.5% and undergo three years of aging, including one in wood. If aged for a minimum five years, including two in wood, the wine may be labeled riserva. Grown on the volcanic soils of the slopes of Mount Vulture, Aglianico can develop great complexity as it slowly ripens, with harvest occurring in late October or early November. The wines may be dry (acsiutto) or off-dry (amabile) and still or spumante, although dry, still interpretations represent the DOC’s most serious wine.