Castel del Monte Nero di Troia Riserva

🇮🇹 Italy

DOCG Rare find

DOCG 2011 - Indigenous Nero di Troia (Uva di Troia) 90% minimum, UNESCO Castel del Monte castle, Federico II 13th-century fortress, 2+ years aging including oak

Region profile

History

Nero di Troia indigenous to Puglia since Magna Graecia era (Museo Jatta artifacts). First organic description 1877 by G. Di Rovasenda cataloguing Puglian varieties - called Nero di Troia in Trani area, Uva di Troja in Bari/Canosa areas. 13th century: Frederick II (Holy Roman Emperor) built iconic octagonal Castel del Monte fortress, now UNESCO World Heritage site. Castle used variously as prison, plague shelter, quarry. Modern era: DOC Castel del Monte established. 2011: Three DOCGs created simultaneously - Nero di Troia Riserva, Rosso Riserva, Bombino Nero - recognizing quality potential of zone. Rivera winery Puer Apuliae became benchmark for variety.

Climate
Mediterranean with continental influence; Murge plateau 300-400m altitude; rocky karst terrain; Bari and BAT provinces; 9 municipalities (Corato, Ruvo di Puglia, Terlizzi, Bitonto, Palo del Colle, Toritto, Binetto, Andria, Minervino Murge); hot dry summers; limestone-calcareous soils; significant diurnal temperature variation at altitude
Signature wines
Castel del Monte Nero di Troia Riserva DOCG (Rivera Puer Apuliae - 100% Nero di Troia benchmark, Decanter awards; Torrevento Vigna Pedale; Crifo Augustale; Santa Lucia); ruby aging to garnet; black cherry, plum, tobacco, leather, spice; structured tannins; ages 8-15+ years; 13%+ alcohol; pairs with lamb, aged pecorino, game
What sets it apart
DOCG 2011 for indigenous Nero di Troia (documented 1877 Di Rovasenda); UNESCO Castel del Monte 13th-century castle (Frederick II) namesake; Murge plateau 300+ meters altitude terroir; more refined than Primitivo/Negroamaro; Rivera Puer Apuliae modern benchmark; castle on Italian 1-cent euro coin; one of 3 simultaneous Castel del Monte DOCGs 2011

Facts

  • DOCG 2011 (elevated with Rosso Riserva and Bombino Nero same year)
  • Nero di Troia documented 1877 by G. Di Rovasenda "Varietà coltivate in Puglia"
  • grape named for town Troia (Foggia province)
  • Castel del Monte = UNESCO World Heritage octagonal 13th-century castle built by Holy Roman Emperor Frederick II (Federico II)
  • castle appears on Italian 1-cent euro coin
  • production zone 300+ meters altitude on Murge plateau
  • leading producers: Rivera (Puer Apuliae - 100% Nero di Troia, benchmark), Torrevento (Vigna Pedale), Crifo/Cantina di Ruvo di Puglia (Augustale line)