Castel del Monte in Puglia, an octagonal fortress of Frederick II and a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1996, also gives its name to three of the four DOCG in the entire region: two for the undisputed Nero di Troia, and one for Bombino Nero.
The Nero di Troia is the third most important grape variety in all of Puglia, after Primitivo and Negramaro.
In fact, the fourth Puglian DOCG goes to the Primitivo di Manduria Dolce Naturale from the provinces of Taranto and Brindisi.
The others are Castel del Monte Nero di Troia Riserva DOCG and Castel del Monte Rosso Riserva DOCG, Castel del Monte Bombino Nero DOCG, all established in 2011.
The Ruvo di Puglia Winery has dedicated two Crifo brand labels from the Augustale line to the production of Castel del Monte DOCG: Augustale Castel del Monte Bombino Nero DOCG in purity and Augustale Castel del Monte Nero di Troia Riserva DOCG in purity.
The DOCG Castel del Monte Nero di Troia Riserva (Aged Red Wine) pertains to the cultivation area in the “Central Murgia.” Reference municipalities: Corato, Ruvo di Puglia, Terlizzi, Bitonto, Palo del Colle, Toritto, and Binetto, Minervino Murge, and partly the territories of the municipalities of Andria and Trani.
The regulations require that production must derive 90 percent from the reference grape variety, namely Nero di Troia grapes. The remaining 10 percent belongs to other non-aromatic black grape varieties suitable for cultivation in the region.
This is a wine aged for at least two years, with at least one year in wood, with a color ranging from ruby red to garnet red and characteristic, albeit delicate, notes of plum, blackberry, and cherry, as well as vanilla and hints of tobacco, cocoa, and licorice conferred by aging. Excellent with succulent dishes and red meats.
The designation Castel del Monte Rosso Riserva DOCG is reserved for wines obtained from Nero di Troia grapes for at least 65 percent and other non-aromatic black grape varieties suitable for cultivation in the region up to a maximum of 35 percent.
The area is still that of Castel del Monte up to the Alta Murgia Natural Park and includes the municipalities of Minervino Murge, part of Andria, Corato, Trani, Ruvo, Terlizzi, Bitonto, Palo del Colle, and Toritto, as well as the administrative island of D’Ameli in the municipality of Binetto. This DOCG, too, must undergo aging for at least two years, with at least one year in wood, before being released for consumption.
Intense and deep ruby red, it has the characteristic scent of plum and blackberries, to which aging adds spicy notes of licorice and balsamic. Great structure and significant tannins, impeccable with succulent meat dishes.
Meanwhile, the DOCG Castel del Monte Bombino Nero is produced with Bombino Nero grapes for a minimum of 90 percent and other non-aromatic black grape varieties up to a maximum of 10 percent. The grapes are vinified in rosé. The resulting wine, with a cherry pink color, is quite consistent and structured. Its strawberry and raspberry notes confer elegance but also a wide pairing capacity.
Castel del Monte Bombino Nero DOCG, in addition to clearly taking its name from the Frederick II fortress and extending its vineyards in the surrounding area, stretches up to the Alta Murgia Natural Park. Its production area is between the province of Bari and that of Barletta-Andria-Trani. The municipalities where it is produced are Minervino Murge, Andria, Corato, Trani, Ruvo, Terlizzi, Bitonto, Palo del Colle, and Toritto, as well as the administrative island of D’Ameli in the municipality of Binetto.
