CORATO (Province of Bari): It was rainy and cool till the beginning of May, then the weather improved and it was warm during the summer.

Roberto Perrone Capano owner of Azienda Agricola Santa Lucia (Castel del Monte DOC, Puglia Fiano IGT, Puglia Aleatico IGT).”..we picked Fiano from the 27th till the 28th of September, Negroamaro and Aleatico on the 3rd and 4th of October, Nero di Troia from the 8th till the 15th of October. The grapes reached a good ripeness, but the grape yield was lower this year in comparison to the previous vintages. Veraison (the phase when the berries change colour) took place a month later than usual. There was a strong selection of the clusters of Nero di Troia. There were good results with Fiano, due to its low grape yield per hectare, the declivity of the vineyards and due to the canopy/fruit ratio. The vineyards are over 15 years old and the wines have an interesting evolution of the nose and of the flavour. We follow organic practices in the vineyards (the estate is in the conversion phase to be certified organic) without using irrigation. The wines of this vintage have a slightly less intense colour and structure, but an excellent freshness and they are very pleasant to drink. This year we will not produce Negroamaro Gazza Nera, Castel del Monte Riserva Le More nor Aleatico Gazza Rubina. We will regularly produce Fiano and Castel del Monte Vigna del Melograno. Castel del Monte Riserva Le More 2012 will be released as DOCG….”

UGENTO (Southern Salento – Province of Lecce): The winter was quite warm. It was rainy especially in May. The summer was cool and dry. It was rainy at the beginning of September after which the weather was very good.

Francesco Marra of Masserie Pizari (Salento Rosso Negroamaro IGT, Salento Rosato Negroamaro IGT, Salento Rosso Primitivo IGT)”..we picked the Primitivo grapes from the 10th till the 12th of September, the Negroamaro grapes from the end of September till the beginning of October. The Negroamaro grapes benefited from the good weather in September. The wines of this vintage have good aromatics and they are fresh, with balsamic notes and with slightly less structure. The grape yield was lower than usual this year…..”