The Wines of Basilicata.
No meal would be complete without a good bottle of wine. Basilicata is a land rich in wines. While the production is fragmentary there do exist many wines worth mentioning, most notably the Aglianico del Vulture.
Undoubtedly, it is one of the finest wines in the region to which the the d.o.c. mark was assigned in 1971. It is produced in the zone of Mount Vulture, the very old, now extinct volcano. The volcanic soil gives the wine its rare and greatly appreciated characteristic flavour. Among the finest Italian and European wines (it has received many international acknowledgments), Aglianico del Vulture d.o.c. is produced from vines introduced during the times of Magna Graecia. Already well-known and appreciated at the time of ancient Rome, it was originally called 'Ellenico' and was used to improve Falerno, the wine so dear to Romans and poets of antiquity. With time, its reputation grew until it became the favourite wine of the Kingdom of Naples men. At the end of the 15th century, its name was changed from 'Ellenico' to 'Aglianico'. There exist about 5000 hectares in Vulture devoted to the cultivation of the Aglianico vines, including the communities of: Venosa, Acerenza, Atella, Banzi, Barile, Forenza, Ginestra, Genzano di Lucania, Lavello, Maschito, Melfi, Palazzo S. Gervasio, Rapolla, Rionero in Vulture and Ripacandida. The 'Cooperativa della Riforma Fondiaria', in Venosa, supplies the majority of the companies that bottle Aglianico wine. 40% of the production is destined for areas outside the region, where it is used to improve other wines, among which the famous Chianti. In the area between Rionero in Vulture and Barile, other wine-makers have for many years produced and bottled Aglianico del Vulture d.o.c. of excellent quality. Its ruby red or bright burgundy colour takes on orange highlights with aging. The scent is pleasantly grape-like and flavour dry, harmonious and slightly tannic, which softens with aging. Its alcohol content is never less than 12°. It is called 'vecchio' after at least three years of aging and 'riserva' after at least five. The wine goes very well with meats, especially roasts and wild game. The producers are: Consorzio Viticoltori Associati del Vulture- Barile/ Cantina Cooperativa della Riforma Fondiaria-Venosa/ Cantina Sociale del Vulture-Rionero in V./ F.lli D'Angelo-Rionero in V./ Armando Martino- Rionero in V./ Paternoster-Barile/ Sasso Francesco-Rionero in V./ Napolitano-Rionero in V./ Carilli-Forenza.

Vino Spumante Rosso d.o.c. (sparkling red wine)
It is obtained from Aglianico del Vulture which has been processed into sparkling wine; Served chilled, it can be drunk as an aperitif or with meals.

Aglianico di Matera
It is produced in Matera, Irsina and Tricarico from a blend of Aglianico, Montepulciano and other grapes. The colour is ruby red, with a slightly aromatic, dry taste. 11.5°-13°.

Aglianico di Ferrandina
It is produced in the community of Ferrandina from a blend of Aglianico and a small percentage of others. Its red colour tends towards burgundy, with a slightly acidulous, dry flavour. 12°-13°.

Asprino
It is produced in the community of Ruoti from grapes of the same name. Its straw colour tends towards green. It is a light, sparkling wine, with a tart flavour. The alcohol content is low and it is refreshing, with diuretic properties. Good for light meals, it is served chilled.

Bianco Malvasia
It is produced in the plains around Matera from Malvasia grapes. It has a fruity scent and dry taste. It goes well with fish. 12°. Cantina Sociale del Metapontino-Metaponto

Chardonnay Martino
It is produced in Rionero in Vulture from Chardonnay grapes cultivated in Materan hills. It has a straw colour, a fresh flavour and a scent of grapes. It is suitable for drinking with fish and shellfish. 11.5°. Armando Martino- Rionero in Vulture

Chiaro di Acerenza
It is produced in Acerenza from whitened grapes. It has a slight straw colour, a delicate scent and a dry, harmonious flavour. It can be served as an aperitif or with fish. 11.5° Basilium s.c.r.l.- Acerenza.

Lambrusco del Basento
It is produced in the province of Matera in the Valley of Basento from Lambrusco Maestri grapes. Its red colour tends towards mauve, grape-like scent and dry taste. It is aged in the bottle and goes well with regional cooking. 12°. Cantina Sociale del Metapontino-Metaponto.

Malvasia del Vulture
It is produced in the zone of Vulture from Malvasia grapes. It has a golden, straw-like colour and a slightly sweet taste. Good with regional cooking. 12°- 13°. F.lli D'Angelo- Rionero in Vulture - Paternoster-

Barile Moscato
It is produced in various zones of the region. It has a golden colour, a musty scent and a sweet taste. It is a dessert wine. Paternoster- Barile

Rosato di Acerenza
Wine bearing the denomination of 'geographic origin', produced in the community of Acerenza from partially- whitened Aglianico grapes: Rosy colour, dry taste. It goes well with first courses. 11°. Basilium s.c.r.l.- Acerenza

Rosso della Basilicata
It is produced at Viggiano primarily from biologically grown Merlot grapes: Ruby red colour, dry taste; Goes well with meats. 13.5°. Raffaele Pisani- Viggiano

Rosso di Roccanova
It is produced in the community of Roccanova from local grapes, it aspires to the d.o.c. mark; Ruby red colour, dry taste; Goes well with all meats. 12°.

Vulcanella Bianco
Wine with the denomination of geographic origin, produced in Rionero in Vulture from a blend of grapes including Malvasia di Candia, Greco di Tufo and others; White colour, fresh grape-like flavour; Good with fish. 11.5°. Armando -Martino. Rionero in Vulture