Best Puglia Wines 2026: Reds, Whites & Rosés

Puglia is one of Italy’s most generous wine regions: sun, sea and native grape varieties that capture an entire territory in a single glass. From the bold reds of the Tavoliere to the mineral whites of the Valle d’Itria, all the way to the rosés that made history, here is a guide to the best Puglia wines worth discovering — and worth tasting with us in Peschici.

The great red wines

Reds are the beating heart of Puglia’s wine scene.

• Primitivo — full-bodied, warm and enveloping, with ripe fruit, spice and an unmistakable softness. Its most celebrated expressions are Primitivo di Manduria DOC (and DOCG in the Dolce Naturale version) and Gioia del Colle DOC.
• Negroamaro — the signature red of Salento: full, savoury, with an elegant bitter edge. It is the backbone of Salice Salentino DOC.
• Nero di Troia — the most refined of the three, grown mainly in the Daunia and the northern Bari area. Firm but elegant tannins, with aromas of sour cherry, violet and spice. Its finest expression is Castel del Monte Nero di Troia DOCG.

The white wines

Often underrated, Puglia’s whites are a wonderful surprise:

• Verdeca from the Valle d’Itria, mineral and citrusy;
• Fiano Minutolo, aromatic, with notes of white flowers and citrus;
• Bombino Bianco (Gravina DOC), balanced and savoury;
• Impigno, native to Ostuni, fragrant with peach and acacia blossom.

The rosés

Puglia is the home of Italian rosé. Rosato Puglia IGT has a delicate colour and a fresh, savoury taste: the perfect summer wine, ideal with fish, aperitivi and Mediterranean cured meats. In recent years, versions made from Negroamaro and Susumaniello have won national awards and recognition.

The denominations: DOC and DOCG

Puglia boasts 4 DOCGs — including Primitivo di Manduria Dolce Naturale and Castel del Monte Nero di Troia — and more than 28 DOCs. They guarantee a close bond between grape variety, area and production method: a handy compass for finding your way among the many labels.

How to pair them

A simple rule: rich traditional dishes (orecchiette with ragù, grilled meats, aged cheeses) call for structured reds; seafood and vegetables — including our beloved cime di rapa — pair beautifully with fresh whites and rosés.

Want to discover these wines glass by glass? Come and find us at Enoteca59 in Peschici: we select authentic labels from the Gargano and across Puglia, and we tell you their stories at a leisurely pace.