The Tamurro Nero, also known as Colatammurro or Tamurro di Colatamurro, is an ancient black grape variety from Basilicata, associated primarily with the area around Pietragalla and Ruoti, in the province of Potenza. Tradition traces its presence back to the Middle Ages and suggests that it may have been introduced from France during the feudal era; the name is thought to be linked to the nickname ‘coll’ d’ tammurr’, referring to the sturdy build of an ancient winegrower. The vine has medium-to-large, pentagonal and generally five-lobed leaves, with a dark green, wrinkled and slightly downy upper surface, whilst the underside is lighter in colour and downy. The bunch is of medium size, conical and fairly compact; the berries, which are spherical, have a moderately pruinose blue-black skin and juicy flesh. Once widespread across several municipalities in the Potentino area, the variety now finds its most characteristic expression in the hilly regions of Basilicata, where it contributes to enhancing the local viticultural biodiversity. The resulting wine is distinguished by its intense ruby-red colour, often enriched with garnet hues, and by a broad aromatic profile, featuring black fruits, ripe cherry, undergrowth, spices, liquorice and balsamic nuances. On the palate, it is structured, velvety and underpinned by a substantial tannic framework, a quality that favours its development over time. The revival of this grape variety through single-varietal vinification and extended ageing is particularly noteworthy.
