Gravina

"Gravina" is a Protected Designation of Origin that includes five types of wine: white, red, rosé, spumante and passito. 

Grapes

"Gravina" passito is the only wine of the denomination produced in purity, with grapes from vineyards composed of 100% Malvasia. White and spumante, on the other hand, are made from a minimum of 50% Greco, combined with a minimum of 20% white and/or long white Malvasia and finally a maximum of 30% Fiano, Verdeca, Bianco di Alessano and Chardonnay. Rosso and Rosato, finally, are produced with Montepulciano (40%) and Primitivo (20%), plus a maximum of 30% of Aglianico, Uva di Troia, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. 

Physicochemical and Organoleptic properties

The white wine (minimum total alcoholic strength by volume of 11% vol) is straw yellow, with a tendency to greenish, accompanied by a characteristic and pleasant aroma and a dry or sweet, fresh, savoury, harmonious, delicate and sometimes slightly lively flavour. The Rosato (11% vol) has a brilliant tonality, with a characteristic, pleasant and fruity aroma, and a dry, fresh, savoury, mineral, harmonious and delicate flavour. The appearance of the Rosso (11,50% vol) is also brilliant, emanating a typical fruity aroma, embellished with hints of blackberries, and on the palate it is dry, harmonious and round. The spumante (10% vol) is yellow with greenish reflections and fine and persistent foam; it has a characteristic smell, with a delicate scent of yeast, and a lively and harmonious taste. The Passito (15% vol) is golden, tending towards amber, with an intense and characteristic perfume. 

Grape production area

The production area is limited to a few municipalities in the province of Bari. Geographically it coincides with the north-western plateau of the Murgia.

Specificity and historical notes

The original viticulture of Gravina di Puglia is greatly influenced by Greece, of which this area of Puglia was a colony, before the advent of the Romans. Another historically decisive moment for the development of wines was, around the year 1000, the foundation, in the area, of a monastery, whose monks introduced into the vineyards French vines.