The Castel del Monte D.O.C. production regulations allow producers to use, in blend or single varietals, native grapes, the white Pampanuto and Bombino Bianco, and the red Bombino Nero, Nero di Troia, Montepulciano, and Aglianico, plus - thanks specifically to research done by Rivera in the early 1980's -, the foreign white varieties Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc.
NERO DI TROIA
Red variety of still-uncertain origin, widespread only in north-central Apulia.
Without a doubt one of the most important grapes of the region, it can yield wines of great character. The nose usually exhibits violets and the body shows firm structure, due to the tannins that make possible significant ageing.
MONTEPULCIANO
Red variety found across all the Adriatic zones, from the Marche to Apulia. In the latter, its balance and the softness of its tannins finds it a place in blends with more distinctive varieties: in the Castel del Monte D.O.C. a classic blend pairs it with Nero di Troia.
AGLIANICO
Red variety widespread in Campania, Basilicata, and north-central Apulia, of extremely ancient origins: its name seems to derive from ellenico or ancient Greek. It shows good acid and high polyphenol content, and can produce a firmly-structured wine that shows marked varietal tipicity.
PAMPANUTO
White variety typical of the Castel del Monte D.O.C.
It produces a delicately-scented white wine, but since it has low acidity it is often blended with Bombino Bianco.
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BOMBINO BIANCO
White variety widespread in north-central Apulia and in some areas of central Italy. Since it maintains good acidity even when very ripe, it can yield a very crisp wine, even in the hottest areas.
BOMBINO NERO
Castel del Monte D.O.C.'s most characteristic red grape variety, it is particularly well-suited to the production of rosés, since it has a thin skin and is low in colourant compounds. The flesh shows low reticulation and high juice extraction potential, so it is easy to obtain free-run must just by de-juicing. Some seeds remain green even when the clusters are ripe, thus contributing to maintaining high acidity and therefore wine freshness.
CHARDONNAY
White variety originally from Burgundy but now widespread throughout the world. Quite versatile, it can produce white wines enjoying remarkable complexity. In a Mediterranean climate like that of Castel del Monte D.O.C., it exhibits warm nuances of banana and pear.
SAUVIGNON BLANC
Another white variety of French origin, from Bordeaux and the Loire, and now spread throughout the world. It possesses distinct varietal characteristics, to which the Mediterranean climate of the Castel del Monte D.O.C. adds a touch of sunny opulence.
