Basilicata’s average annual wine production of 23 million litres (18^th in volume among the regions) includes about 13% DOC and the rest IGT. Red wine accounts for about 80% of Basilicata’s production.

Basilicata also known as Lucania, is a region of arid hills and desolate mountains that can be cold for a southerly place. But the upland climate has its advantages for viticulture, in wines that show enviable aromas and flavours. Basilicata has four DOCs: the classic red Aglianico del Vulture and the appellations of Grottino di Roccanova, Terra dell’Alta Val d’Agri and Matera. Aglianico, one of southern Italy’s fines red wines, is rapidly gaining admirers elsewhere. Aglianico del Vulture Superiore has been nominated for DOCG status. The Aglianico vine-also the base of Campania’s Taurasi- was brought to Basilicata by the Greeks, perhaps as long ago as the 6^th or 7^th century BC. (Its name is a corruption of Hellenico). On the slopes of the extinct volcano of Monte Vulture it makes a robust, deeply coloured wine that can improve for many years from fine vintages, becoming increasingly refined and complex in flavour. There are also youthful versions of the wine, sometimes semisweet and even sparkling. Grottino di Roccanova DOC has a white of Malvasia and Rosso and Rosato based on Sangiovese with other varieties. Terra dell’Alta Val d’Agri red and rosé are based on Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. Matera uses a range of varieties in its six types of wine, including the red Sangiovese, Primitivo and Cabernet Sauvignon and the white Greco Bianco and Malvasia Bianca di Basilicata. IGT: Basilicata. DOC: Aglianico del Vulture, Grottino di Roccanova, Matera, Terre dell’Alta Val d’Agri.