Puglia in Southern Italy may not be the first region that comes to mind when one thinks of wines from Italy.  The adventurous wine aficionados amongst our readership will know all too well that the lesser known districts, particularly within Europe, frequently offer great wines at attractive prices. 

In terms of bang for your buck, wine doesn’t get much better!  I would stress, however, that these trinkets should be approached with an open mind and a reasonable amount of fortitude, for they may not be instantly likable.  They are wines that require understanding, time to develop once opened, and more importantly careful thought and consideration when matching with food.  For those with a risk-taking streak, however, they offer a superb opportunity to buy exceptional quality at reasonable prices, yet undiscovered by the mainstream wine consumer.
 

So what’s on offer from this land of plenty?  Here are five of my favourites:
 

Bombino, is a white wine that is bright yellow in colour, fresh and zippy on the palate with hints of apples and almonds. 
 

Uva di troia is a dry red wine that is supple with strong hints of sour cherry and wild red berries.  Sometimes, big powerful and chewy, while at other times a little leaner despite its higher alcohol content. 
  

Greco has a brilliant straw-yellow colour with intense fragrance of exotic fruit and flowers.  The flavours of this white wine are elegant.  The wine is full-bodied with a crisp backbone and lingering finish. 
 

Primitivo is a full-bodied red that is packed with fruit.  Typically it offers well balanced tannins and an edge of sweetness to the finish in this otherwise dry wine.   

Fiano tops my favourite list due to it being a floral wine with a big nose.  It typically emits hints of orange with rich creamy fruity flavours and a long finish.  It is a white wine.
 

You’ve probably got a greater chance of being struck by lightning than finding these at your local multiple or supermarket, so you’ll have to search out your favourite specialist independent wine merchant if you’re serious about trying these wines.  Once tried you can bask in the knowledge that your wine horizons will have grown just that little bit wider.  Enjoy the breath of fresh air.