Apulia is the second Italian region by wine export and one of the most representative vines is Nero di Troia. It is present all over the region, even if it is mainly cultivated in the north of the so-called “heel of Italy”, and it has a long-lasting history.
Nero di Troia is a black-berried grape with thick skin; it is versatile, such that the grapes may be vinified as single variety or in blend, both for red or rosè wines, the latter with excellent results in terms of quality, with a perfect balance in the floral scents, especially of rose. A black grape capable of a great elegance, in conclusion.
This type of grape is very well expressed if vinified in red: the results are structured wines, appreciated by lovers and connoisseurs all over the world. Thanks to its 4 Nero di Troia wines, the Crifo brand has earned numerous awards at Cantina di Ruvo di Puglia.
Nero di Troia wine characteristics make it immediately recognizable, like Primitivo and Negroamaro, just as a territorial reference. It has a great polyphenolic structure that is very present in the traditional red vinification and that makes it particularly elegant in the rosè vinification.
During the past, Nero di Troia was used as a wine for “assemblage”, but over the years it has been well revalued so much that it has obtained the recognition of Doc as Castel del Monte (of which Crifo produces several labels), Cacc’emmitte, Orta Nova, Rosso Barletta, Rosso Canosa and Rosso di Cerignola. Due to its enological characteristics, Nero di Troia is becoming one of the protagonists of Apulian enology and of all southern Italy.
All these small appellations, in fact, including the somewhat unknown ones, are becoming increasingly known and appreciated at an international level. This is because, in recent years, the true potential of this cultivar has been understood, thanks to the work of winegrowers, among whom the 500 members of the cooperative Cantina di Ruvo di Puglia play an important role.
For Puglia it represents yet another symbol of authenticity and territorial identity: Nero di Troia is defined as the most important grape variety of the region, after Primitivo and Negroamaro, which are the best known. After being neglected in the past, due to the low yields that have led manufacturers to underestimate it for decades, finally today the technology allows to get good yields and excellent quality.
In fact, since 2000 in Apulia has increased particularly the cultivation of Nero di Troia vineyards. The evidence of this are the many farms that make Nero di Troia wine their flagship. In this sense, it is virtuous the sixty-year history of the Cantina di Ruvo di Puglia and the Crifo brand, whose legacy is today entrusted to the experience of the winemaker Massimo Tripaldi.