Gioia del Colle is a DOC of the Puglia wine region in south-eastern Italy. The catchment area for this DOC (granted in 1987) centers around Gioia del Colle town, which sits atop the Murge plateau, 1180ft (360m) above sea level. From there it stretches for 20 miles (32km) north-east towards the Adriatic Coast, and 25 miles (40km) north-west across the 'ankle' of Italy's 'boot'. The name means either jewel or joy (Gioia) of the hill (del Colle).
The red wines produced under this title are typically robust and can lean towards the tannic, being made mostly from Primitivo grapes. Due to the hot climate in Puglia most Gioia del Colle wines have a relatively high alcohol content, as do their counterparts in neighboring Castel del Monte. Primitivo (widely believed to be the same as California's Zinfandel) must make up at least 60% of any blend claiming the Gioia del Colle title. It may be complemented with up to 40% Negroamaro, Sangiovese and Montepulciano, individually or as a blend, and up to 15% Malvasia Nera. The much rarer white wines are based on Trebbiano Toscano.
Despite being so close to the Adriatic Sea on one side and the Gulf of Taranto on the other, the climate here is remarkably hot and dry. Puglia's name derives from the Latin phrase a pluvia, meaning 'without rain'. Southern Italy has been nicknamed Il Mezzogiorno, meaning 'the midday', due to its long, hot summers (le Midi in southern France has precisely the same meaning and origin). With 300 sunny days each year and mid-summer afternoon temperatures regularly surpassing 40C, the grapes which grow here develop high levels of sugar over the growing season. The wines made from these grapes have correspondingly high potential alcohol.
