Tre Bicchieri 2024: the best wines of Basilicata awarded by Gambero Rosso. Aglianico confirms itself as the main grape variety.

Basilicata is one of the most beautiful and still lesser-known regions of the Bel Paese. Taking stock of the tastings of the region is a bit like looking at a photo from a few years ago: despite the great potential given by terroir and typical grapes, tastings for some time have given us a fairly static image of the region. Certainly the fulcrum of Lucanian oenology is the Vulture area, which has a thousand-year vocation for the production of great wines, thanks also to the presence of Aglianico , the main grape variety of the region. Most of the companies reviewed are concentrated here, but inevitably here too the leading patrol only increases the gap with its direct pursuers. Five wines were awarded , with around twenty labels selected for the finals: an excellent result but the region could express much more.

On the other hand, producing competitive wines on the Italian and international market requires not only a suitable terroir and beautiful vineyards but also equipped cellars, great professionalism and significant investments in promotion, things that are not always within the reach of the winemakers of this region.

Tre Bicchieri 2024 from Basilicata. The big reds

Aglianico del Vulture is rightfully one of the great Italian reds, but we are receiving comforting signs from Matera , where really interesting realities are slowly emerging, and from the Grottino di Roccanova area. Many companies are organized for hospitality, but it is still too little: it is also on this that the future development of the sector is played out. Once again congratulations to Elena Fucci , Cantine del Notaio , Terre degli Svevi-Re Manfredi , Terra dei Re and Donato D'Angelo who present impeccably cut wines that fear no comparison with any of the great Italian reds. The region of the two seas is truly worth a "coast to coast" trip.

The Three Glasses 2024:

• Aglianico del Vulture Title 2021 Elena Fucci
• Aglianico del Vulture Sup. Serpara 2017 Re Manfredi
• Aglianico del Vulture The 2021 Repertoire Cellars of the Notary
• Aglianico del Vulture Chalice 2021 Donato D'Angelo by Filomena Ruppi
• Aglianico del Vulture Nocte 2019 Land of Kings