Locorotondo is one of the loveliest villages of the Valle d'Itria, in Puglia: a white, circular old town, which gives it its name, overlooking a countryside of trulli, dry-stone walls and vineyards. It is one of the region's rare areas long devoted to white wines, thanks to the altitude of the Murgia and its day-night temperature swings. The DOC, recognised in 1969, extends across the provinces of Bari and Brindisi, with about 62 hectares and 3,110 hectolitres.
Verdeca and Bianco d'Alessano
Locorotondo Bianco comes from two native grapes: at least 50% Verdeca and at least 35% Bianco d'Alessano, with other white grapes up to 15%. Verdeca brings freshness and green notes of grass and apple; Bianco d'Alessano body and yellow-fruit aromas. Minimum alcohol is 11%.
Alongside the Bianco there are varietals, each with at least 85% of the grape: Verdeca, Bianco d'Alessano and Fiano. There are also the Superiore, the Riserva, which ages for at least one year and is not released before 1 November after the harvest, the Spumante and the Passito, with the same blend as the Bianco.
In the glass
Locorotondo is pale straw with greenish glints, with aromas of white flowers, green apple, citrus and aromatic herbs, and a light, fresh, savoury palate. It is a white to drink young, ideal on Puglia's summer evenings.
At the table
It goes with raw seafood, mussels, shellfish, grilled fish, orecchiette with turnip tops, burrata and fresh cheeses. The Passito suits almond sweets. For other wines from the same valley, including reds and rosés, there is the Valle d'Itria IGT.
