or decades, Aglianico del Vulture, one of the greatest wines of Southern Italy, was the only D.O.C. wine from Basilicata (formerly known as Lucania). However, in 2003, it was joined by another D.O.C. appellation—Terre dell’Alta Val d’Agri—a wine produced in a small territory in the province of Potenza, confined to the communes of Viggiano, Moliterno, and Grumento Nova, where vineyards are situated between an altitude of 650 and 800 meters above sea level.
Foreign vines like the Merlot and the Cabernet have adapted well to this environment, alongside indigenous varieties like Malvasia Bianca di Basilicata, Malvasia Nera di Basilicata, and Moscato Bianco di Basilicata.
Archeological finds on display at the museum of Grumento Nova testify to the existence of vineyards in this area as early as in the late second millennium B.C. In fact, evidence of the existence of grapes and an excellent quality of wine abound in the entire region.
Terre dell’Alta Val d’Agri D.O.C. Rosso (red) pairs beautifully with savory dishes like pasta with meat or mushroom sauce and main courses like grilled, oven-baked or stewed red meat. It is also delicious served with youngish or aged Pecorino cheese.
This page was written by Stefano Milioni. Background image and most photos in this section courtesy of Giuliano Bugialli, all right reserved (see Copyright and Credits).
or decades, Aglianico del Vulture, one of the greatest wines of Southern Italy, was the only D.O.C. wine from Basilicata (formerly known as Lucania). However, in 2003, it was joined by another D.O.C. appellation—Terre dell’Alta Val d’Agri—a wine produced in a small territory in the province of Potenza, confined to the communes of Viggiano, Moliterno, and Grumento Nova, where vineyards are situated between an altitude of 650 and 800 meters above sea level.
