Castel del Monte Nero di Troia Riserva DOCG comes from the northern Murge of Puglia, an elevated landscape shaped by limestone and positioned between inland influences and the Adriatic. Karstic bedrock, calcareous soils of varying depth, and areas of clay and red earth create a complex geological setting. Vineyards benefit from abundant light, dry summers, persistent breezes, and marked shifts between daytime and nighttime temperatures. These conditions encourage gradual ripening while preserving freshness and building the grape’s characteristic phenolic structure.
Nero di Troia must form the principal component of the blend, with other authorized red varieties permitted as complementary grapes. Also known as Uva di Troia, Nero di Troia is one of Puglia’s historic grape varieties. Its long growing cycle, compact bunches, and thick skins require attentive vineyard management. Pruning, canopy work, and training systems designed to promote air circulation help guide even ripening and protect the quality of the skins, from which the variety derives much of its color and tannic backbone.
Winemaking is centered on carefully managed fermentation on the skins, calibrated to obtain depth of color, aromatic definition, and balanced extraction. Fermentation temperatures, maceration length, and cap management are adapted to the ripeness and character of each vintage. The Riserva designation requires extended maturation of at least two years, including a minimum of one year in wood. Barrel ageing supports the gradual refinement of the wine’s naturally firm tannins and enhances its development without obscuring the identity of Nero di Troia. Further bottle ageing encourages integration between fruit, spice, and the mineral tension associated with the Murge. The DOCG designation recognizes both the deep local roots of Nero di Troia and the long-established winemaking tradition devoted to structured, ageworthy red wines in the Castel del Monte area.
