Wine production in Apulia is favored by the climate and the great amount of sun. The alberello is the most common training system in Apulia as it allows the vine to fully take the soil resources, preserving the quality of the grapes and therefore of the wine.
Among the best known vines is the Primitivo, a red variety rather common in the central part of Apulia, from which the Primitivo di Manduria is produced, one of the most important DOC in the region. This variety seems to be genetically similar to the Plavac Mali of Dalmatia and we find it in California with the name of Zinfandel. Primitivo probably owes its name to the fact that it tends to ripen earlier than other varieties (primo means first).
Another important grape variety of Salento is Negroamaro, very common in the provinces of Brindisi and Lecce.
In the northern part of the region we have the grape Uva di Troia, also known as Nero di Troia, a variety used for the production of red wines.
In Apulia there is also a production of white wines such as Locorotondo and Martina Franca DOC, both mainly produced with Verdeca and Bianco d’Alessano vines. Among the white wines we should mention Moscato di Trani, a sweet wine produced with White Moscato.