Population: 625.000
Regional Capital: Potenza
Provinces: Matera
Total vineyards planted: 11.000 hectares
Aglianico del Vulture DOC: 1.920 hectares
Main white varietals: Malvasia, Moscato
Main red varietals: Aglianico, Aleatico
Aglianico del Vulture DOC: it's release after November 1st of the year following the harvest.
Aglianico del Vulture Vecchio (old): it must be aged at least three years of which two in oak casks.
Aglianico del Vulture Riserva: It must be aged at least five years of which at least two in oak casks

Eight percent of the Basilicata region qualifies as plains, the remaining is mountains and hills. Basilicata can be bitterly cold for its southern location. Potenza, the regional capital, is often the coldest city in Italy. But the cool upland climate has its advantages for viticulture, producing wines with enviable aromas, flavours and structure. Basilicata has only one DOC wine, Aglianico del Vulture (Vulture is an inactive volcano). The vineyards slopes go from 200 meters (600 feet) to 600 meters (1,800 feet). The dark brown soil (derived from lava), is very rich in potassium, and can reach substantial depth. The climate is ideal for growing grapes: in the hot summers, a critical time for the vines, the afternoon temperatures can reach 35° C (95°F), however at night time temperatures drop to 18°C (64°F) or less, providing the best condition to develop fruity flavours as well as acidity and tannins in the wines.
In the 8th century BC, Basilicata was conquered by the Greeks, then in the 3rd century BC by the Romans. After the fall of the Roman Empire Basilicata was held by the Lombards, the French, the Spanish and the Austrians. Most of the wines were brought to the south of Italy by the Greeks in 7 century BC and the Romans further developed the vineyards and the wine-making process.