« Back Puglia is in Italy’s deep south, and forms the heel of the boot as you look at a map of the country. As a region, it is still largely off the beaten track as far as most UK tourists are concerned but it has long been a favourite holiday destination with Italians from the north, who go there for some of the most stunning beaches and coastline Italy can offer, and to experience the simple, laid back, relaxing rustic charm of Puglian life. Puglia is a region blessed by nature where local produce is concerned – the sea provides plenty of fish and seafood whilst the land supplies grain used to produce pasta and bread as well as an enormous amount of fresh fruit, vegetables and olives. Lamb is the meat of the region, and the cheeses produced here can compete with the very best that the rest of Italy has to offer. Wine production in Puglia has long been an important activity, and huge investment into both vineyards and wineries in recent years has led to a great leap in the quality of the wines produced here. Two of the best indigenous (native) Puglian grapes are Negroamaro and Primitivo, and some international varietals such as Cabernet, Merlot and Syrah are also grown here. This allows for the production of some great combinations such as our Da Luca Primitivo Merlot.       Click here for recipes originating from Puglia.