The Greeks considered this part of Italy to be the land of milk and honey (but named it Oenotria after the main crop, its vines) and remained in the area for over eight centuries. In Paestum we have some of the finest Greek remains still to be seen in Italy, whilst Roman civilisation is amply represented by the magnificent ruins of Pompeii.
Surrounded by the sea on three sides, partly subject to the strong winds created by the proximity of the mountains inland, and partly low-lying, hot coastal plain, the resulting wines have a character and depth of flavour all their own. This must be one of the areas where the international varieties have made least progress, allowing us the pleasure of the Primitivo, Aglianico, Fiano, Falanghina and a host of others.
We start with the highly respected Greco di Tufo whites and Taurasi reds of the cool Irpinia valley, before moving south via the uplands of Basilicata to the plains of Puglia. Historically the south is a little-known treasure-trove of early Romanesque architecture. A generation before William the Conqueror crossed the Channel to Britain, Normans headed south to this part of Italy to carve out their own kingdoms, and have left us with the heritage of their spectacular castles and cathedrals, built in the local limestone, bleached blonde by time. Emperor Frederick's enigmatic Castel del Monte and the glorious seaside cathedral at Trani are just a couple of the historic sites that we shall be taking in. Puglia is also known for its distinctive conical stone-built "trulli" houses, and we shall have a chance for a close look at some of these while visiting the vineyards of Locorotondo and Salice Salentino.