Region: Puglia
History: Established as a DOC in 1971; incorporated the Rosso Canosa DOC in 2011; Castel del Monte Bombino Nero, Castel del Monte Nero di Troia Riserva, and Castel del Monte Rosso Riserva were established as separate DOCGs in 2011
Vineyard Area: 417 ha / 1,030 acres (2013, V)
Production: 20,700 hl (total 2013/14, V); avg. 210,700 cases bottled annually
Principal White Grape Varieties: Bombino Bianco, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc
Principal Red Grape Varieties: Aglianico, Bombino Nero, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Montepulciano, Pampanuto, Uva di Troia
Styles and Wine Composition:
WHITE WINES
- Bianco (Wh, WhFr): Any proportions of Bombino Bianco, Chardonnay, and/or Pampanuto (locally Pampanino); maximum 35% OANWG
- Bombino Bianco (Wh, WhFr): Minimum 90% Bombino Bianco + OANWG
- Chardonnay (Wh, WhFr): Minimum 90% Chardonnay + OANWG
- Sauvignon (Wh, WhFr): Minimum 90% Sauvignon Blanc + OANWG
ROSATO WINES
- Rosato (Ro, RoFr): Any proportions of Aglianico, Bombino Nero, and/or Uva di Troia (locally Nero di Troia); maximum 35% OANRG
RED WINES
- Rosso (Rd): Any proportions of Aglianico, Montepulciano, and/or Uva di Troia; maximum 35% OANRG
- Aglianico (Ro, RoFr, Rd): Minimum 90% Aglianico + OANRG
- Cabernet (Rd): Minimum 90% Cabernet Franc and/or Cabernet Sauvignon + OANRG
- Nero di Troia (Rd): Minimum 90% Uva di Troia + OANRG
- Novello (Rosso)
- Riserva (Aglianico, Cabernet)
SPARKLING WINES
- Spumante (WhSp): Any proportions of Bombino Bianco, Chardonnay, and/or Pampanuto; maximum 35% OANWG
- Bombino Bianco Spumante (WhSp): Minimum 90% Bombino Bianco + OANWG
- Rosato Spumante (RoSp): Any proportions of Aglianico, Bombino Nero, and/or Uva di Troia; maximum 35% OANRG
Significant Production Rules:
- Spumante wines may undergo second fermentation either in bottles or in autoclaves
- Minimum alcohol level: 10.5% for Bianco tranquillo, white varietals (tranquillo and frizzante), and Aglianico Rosato frizzante; 11.0% for Bianco frizzante, Rosato (tranquillo and frizzante), and Aglianico Rosato tranquillo; 11.5% for spumanti and Novello; 12.0% for Rosso and Nero di Troia; 12.5% for Cabernet; 13.0% for Aglianico and riservas
- Residual sugar: Maximum 10 g/l (1.0%) for still (tranquillo) wines; maximum 35 g/l (3.5%) for spumanti
- Aging: For Riserva, minimum 2 years, including 1 year in barrel (ERD = November 1, V+2)
