Castel del Monte DOC

DOC area for red wines, rosé wines and white wines in the Italian region of Apulia. The name derives from the octagonal and eight-towered castle built in 1240 by the Hohenstaufen Emperor Frederick II (1194-1250), which is situated on a hill near the Apulian capital Bari. In 2011, the wines of the formerly independent DOC area Rosso Canosa were transferred. The zone includes the entire municipality of Minervino Murge and parts of the municipalities of Andria and Trani Canosa di Puglia in the province of Barletta-Andria-Trani, as well as parts of the municipalities of Binetto, Bito, Corato, Palo del Colle, Ruvo di Puglia, Terlizzi, Toritto and the island of D'Alemi in the province of Bari. If the grapes come from classified vineyards, Vigna followed by the vineyard name can be indicated on the bottle label.

The single-varietal wines must contain at least 90% of the respective varieties; a maximum of 10% can be other permitted. The red wines are Aglianico (also as Riserva) and Aglianico Rosato, Cabernet (Cabernet Franc and/or Cabernet Sauvignon; also as Riserva) and Nero di Troia (also as Riserva). The white wines are Bombino Bianco, Chardonnay and Sauvignon (Sauvignon Blanc). Of the white wines, as well as Aglianico Rosato and Rosato, there is also a Frizzante; of the white wines, as well as Bombino Bianco and Rosato, there is also a Spumante.

The Bianco is blended from Pampanuto and/or Chardonnay and/or Bombino Bianco (max. 65%), as well as other permitted varieties (max. 35%). Rosso (also known as Novello) is made from Aglianico and/or Montepulciano and/or Nero di Troia (max. 65%), as well as other authorised varieties (max. 35%). Rosato is produced from Bombino Nero and/or Aglianico and/or Nero di Troia (to 65%), as well as other authorised varieties (max. 35%).

Three types of wine received DOCG status in 2011. These are Castel del Monte Bombino Nero (at. 90%), Castel del Monte Nero di Troia Riserva (at. 90%) and Castel del Monte Rosso Riserva (at. 65% Nero di Troia). All have to mature for at least two years, one of them in barrels.

Picture left: By IKKos - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, Link
Picture right: By Michael Fritz - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, Link