Grape Variety: Nero di Troia

Colour: Red

The Uva di Troia, legend has it, were brought to Apulia by Diomedes. Having journeyed up the Ofanto river, the exiled hero anchored his ship with a number of stones he’d brought with him from the city of Troy. He used these as markers to delineate the territory of the Diomedean fields. The Greek prince has also brought with him vine shoots, which he planted along the Ofanto, giving birth to Uva di Troia, or Trojan grapes. This legend has contributed to the creation of many different names for this grape variety, whose aliases include Uva di Canosa, Barletanna, Nero di Troia, Troiano, Uva di Barletta and Uva della Marina. (With thanks to Mario Busso)

The grape is currently grown in the province between Bari and Barletta and along the Apulian coastline. Today Nero di Troia is a supple wine bursting with fresh aromas of violets, black berries and hints of star anise. On the palate it has good acidity and tannins that are lively but never astringent and allow a certain ageing potential.

Vigna Grande from Azienda Agricola del Conte Spagnoletti Zeuli is made from 100% Nero di Troia grapes. Despite the oak there’s bite, cut and varietal character in abundance here. Beguiling floral aromas lead into a well-knit palate of small red berry fruits, black cherries and plums and the merest whiff of vanilla. Whilst it can be drunk with roasts, game and aged cheeses, in its native region a favoured match is baked Maccheroni prepared with meatballs, slices of hard-boiled eggs, mortadella, mozzarella and grated pecorino. It is also served with marro, a dish of lamb or goat giblets wrapped in the stomach and bound with… if you’re queasy leave now.