Varieties

Nero di Troia is a native black grape variety from the central-northern areas of Puglia. It owes its name and fame to the city of Troia, to which legend attributes its origin, to Diomedes who brought the grape to the Puglian shores, and to the intense and very dark ruby color it gives to the berry thanks to its high polyphenolic content. The inseparable bond with the Murgian terroir is reflected in the resulting wine: a red of great structure, with deep tones and an aromatic bouquet ranging from ripe fruit to spicy and earthy notes. After a period of oblivion, this grape variety, which was already famous and exported in bottles even to France in the last century, has been rediscovered by Puglian winemakers, becoming a symbol of the territory. The wine obtained from Nero di Troia presents a finely tannic, austere taste, with aromas of blackberries and licorice that evolve over time into elegant notes of cinchona.

It is a black grape variety considered native to Puglia, known for its vigor, productivity, and yield in must, so much so that it was historically called Buonvino. In 2011, the Castel del Monte Bombino Nero wine obtained the DOCG, the only rosé wine in Italy to boast this mention. A recognition obtained for its “saline vitality” and citrus accent that makes it extremely gastronomic, with a clear ability to combine freshness and roundness in taste.

The use of pure Bombino Nero for Crifo Suavì Sparkling Rosé Wine is an emblematic choice of the Ruvo di Puglia Winery. This grape variety is also used for other rosés, such as Terre del Crifo Castel del Monte DOP Rosato, praised for its broad and varied aromatic profile, with notes of pomegranate, red mulberry, and fresh berries. Bombino Nero is recognized as one of the leading grapes of the Castel del Monte DOCG. The consistent use of native grapes for Crifo rosé wines, both sparkling (Suavì Rosato) and still (Terre del Crifo Rosato, Augustale Rosato, Grifone Rosato), demonstrates a deep commitment to enhancing a Puglian grape variety specifically suited for rosé production. The natural characteristics of the grape, such as color, fruitiness, and freshness, are amplified by the Charmat Method to create a distinctive regional style of sparkling rosé (Cryfus Sixty Edition Rosato). This choice strengthens Crifo’s brand identity as firmly rooted in the Puglian terroir and its native grape varieties.

The native Puglian white grape Bombino Bianco is characterized by low vigor but good productivity. It prefers dry, light, siliceous, or calcareous soils, located at hill altitudes and well-exposed to the sun, typical of the Alta Murgia plateau. Due to the considerable size of the clusters, Bombino Bianco must be pruned to medium length to prevent the plants from weakening. Vinified in purity, it produces a straw-yellow wine, with a rich and pleasant aroma and a slightly mineral taste, with hints of almonds, anise, and a touch of apricot and tropical fruits. The minerality conferred by the characteristic Puglian calcareous soils translates into savory whites, with excellent acidity and complex aromatic profiles, exceeding expectations and positioning themselves in mid-high market segments. Additionally, Bombino Bianco boasts great potential for classic method sparkling wines and structured whites, as demonstrated by the labels featuring it.

Moscatello Selvatico is a vine with medium-small, orbicular, tri or pentalobate leaves, with medium-sized, conical-cylindrical clusters. It is a markedly sweet aromatic grape. It pairs excellently with raw seafood and fish-based dishes. Moscatello Selvatico is listed among the particularly aromatic Puglian grape varieties along with Malvasia Bianca.

Pampanuto is a native Puglian grape variety from the Castel del Monte area, also known as “Verdeca,” featuring large orbicular leaves. The clusters are medium-sized and conical in shape. The berries are medium-sized, round, and have abundant bloom on the thick skin. Pampanuto is noted for its excellent must yields, vigor, and good productivity. Resistant to climatic adversities, it prefers clay-rich soils, located on hillsides at altitudes between 200 and 400 meters.

Sangiovese is the most widespread black grape variety in Italy, representing about 11% of the national vineyard area. Although it is historically and culturally linked to Tuscany, where it is the backbone of wines like Brunello di Montalcino and Chianti, its remarkable adaptability has allowed it to thrive in various Italian regions, extending from Romagna to the South, including Puglia. This intrinsic versatility makes it an excellent witness to the diversity of Italian terroirs. It is a late-ripening grape variety, characterized by medium-sized leaves and medium-sized oval berries. One of its most appreciated qualities is its ability to faithfully express the terroir in which it is grown, reflecting its geological and climatic peculiarities.

Although not exclusive to Alta Murgia, Primitivo represents another cornerstone of Crifo’s wine production. Primitivo is a widely spread red grape variety in Puglia, in the provinces of Taranto, Lecce, and Brindisi, in Manduria, Gioia del Colle, and Salento. Its name is linked to the characteristic of ripening earlier than other grape varieties.

Susumaniello is a native black grape variety of the Puglia region, particularly widespread in the Salento area. The name “Susumaniello” probably derives from its high productive yield in its youth, comparable to a donkey (somarello in Puglian dialect, “soma” indicates the load) loaded with grapes. It is a productive and vigorous grape variety, with medium ripening and varied production characteristics.

Moscato has been present in Puglia since ancient times, a testament to intense maritime trade exchanges between the regions and countries facing the Adriatic and dominated by the Republic of Venice. The distinctive characteristic that makes it unique is its intense aromaticity, classifying it as a primary aromatic grape variety. This property is due to the high concentration of terpenic compounds (free and glycosylated terpenes) that serve as direct precursors of its unmistakable olfactory profile.

Malvasia Bianca is well present and particularly widespread in the provinces of Brindisi and Lecce (Salento area), contributing to the production of denomination wines, attesting to its rooting in the Puglian wine heritage where it is often used to impart aroma and body to blends, although it is also vinified in purity as demonstrated by the Grifone Malvasia Bianca Puglia IGP Crifo label.

The white grape variety Chardonnay is globally recognized for its remarkable versatility and its unique ability to faithfully express the characteristics of different terroirs. This intrinsic adaptability makes it an ideal candidate for regions like Puglia, where specific microclimates can impart distinctive qualities, forcing the vines to develop deep root systems. This results in grapes with concentrated flavors and a refined textural profile (the so-called texture), the basis of high-quality winemaking. For the Fuorilemura Chardonnay Crifo, early harvest in the first decade of August is a deliberate viticultural decision. In a warm climate like Puglia’s, anticipating the harvest is a crucial step to capture and preserve the grape’s intrinsic freshness and vibrant acidity, contributing to the characteristic elegance of the wine intended to be obtained.