Puglia forms the heel of Italy's boot, hot and dry with a long history of producing bulk wine for blending elsewhere in Europe. That's changed as growers have refocused on quality, particularly with Primitivo — genetically identical to California's Zinfandel — which makes rich, dark-fruited reds built for the region's heat. Negroamaro is the other local mainstay, used both for structured reds and for Puglia's distinctive, deeply coloured rosés.

Key grapes: Primitivo, Negroamaro, Nero di Troia