RuvidaMente
From the geographical standpoint, Gioia del Colle is a small cluster of whitewashed buildings surrounding an attractive castle. In terms of enology, it is the name of
one of the best-known wines of Apulia that is produced in several communes of the province of Bari, the regional capital.
The castle overlooking Gioia del Colle, which was erected in 1230 at the orders of Emperor Frederick II, is also well known because of a somewhat bizarre legend
associated with it. In the crypt below one of its towers there are two protuberances of stone that are said to represent the breasts of Bianca Lancia, Frederick’s unfortunate mistress who, in an
act of utter desperation, mutilated herself after having been unjustly accused of betraying the monarch.
Gioia del Colle wine must be made at least 60 per cent from Primitivo. The cultivation of that variety became widely diffused throughout Apulia in the
17th century through the efforts of Benedictine monks. But it was at Gioia di Colle, above all, that the monks found the most favorable conditions for the growth of this generous variety.
Over the years, Primitivo became increasingly popular with growers so that it was introduced in the province of Taranto in the late 19th century.
Map of the production area
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