Uva di Puglia PGI

Did You Know?

• The production area includes almost all Apulian municipalities below 330 m above sea level, excluding villages in the Subappennino Dauno.
• The soils are rich in calcium and potassium and have a mild climate even in winter.

Origins

Apulia has been associated with wine and table grape production since the era of Magna Graecia. The earliest evidence for the varieties now in Uva di Puglia PGI comes from the late 19th century, when Sergio Musci of Bisceglie began exporting them to Bologna, Milan and Turin. Their good preservation allowed further export; Cav. Francesco De Villagomez, also from Bisceglie, made the first shipment to Germany in the early 20th century. By 1975, Uva di Puglia accounted for 62.4% of Italian table grape exports, rising to 74.1% in 1985.

Fruit characteristics

The PGI includes several varieties. White grapes such as Italia, Regina and Victoria are straw yellow, seeded, with crunchy pulp; Italia has a Moscato flavour. The red variety Michele Palieri is dark and less sweet, while the pink Red Globe is very sweet and suited for desserts and jam. Harvest begins in the second decade of July for Victoria and Michele Palieri, and from the third decade of July into August for others. The grapes are rich in sugars (glucose, mannose), mineral salts (potassium, iron, phosphorus), and vitamins B, C and K.