Nero di Troia: The Red Wine That Tells Puglia's Story
There is one red that carries centuries of Puglian history within it: Nero di Troia, also known as Uva di Troia. Sturdy yet elegant, it is one of the noblest grape varieties of Southern Italy — and one of our favourites to talk through, glass in hand.
Origins and history
The name points back to the town of Troia, in the province of Foggia, which legend says was founded by Diomedes after the fall of Troy in Asia Minor. Beyond the myth, it’s documented that the “full-bodied wine of Troia” was already prized in the days of Emperor Federico II di Svevia. Today the grape is grown above all in the provinces of Foggia, Barletta-Andria-Trani and Bari, where it reaches its fullest expression on the hillsides of the Daunia.
The grape
Nero di Troia is a late-ripening variety, often harvested in October. It yields wines of great structure, rich in colour and tannic substance: the ideal raw material for wines built to age, capable of evolving in the bottle for years.
Tasting profile
In the glass, when young, it shows a deep ruby red with violet highlights. On the nose it offers a profound, austere bouquet: sour cherry, plum, blackberry and violet, layered with spicy notes of black pepper, tobacco, leather and liquorice in the aged wines. On the palate it is structured, carried by firm but elegant tannins and well-balanced freshness, with a long, harmonious finish.
Pairings
Its bold tannins make Nero di Troia perfect with the rich, full-flavoured dishes of the Puglian tradition: roasts, grilled meats, baked lamb, meat ragù and aged cheeses. It is also ideal with game and spiced pulses. The rule is simple: the more succulent and fatty the dish, the better the wine accompanies it, cleansing the palate.
Discover where it sits among the other great reds in our guide to the best Puglian wines.
Curious to taste it? At the counter of Enoteca59 in Peschici you’ll often find a selection of Nero di Troia to drink in or take home: just ask Francesco and let him guide you to the right label for you.