Summary:

'The Heel of the Boot', and one of Italy's warmest wine regions, Puglia often flies under the radar compared to its illustrious Northern counterparts. But it's home to an array of really interesting indigenous varieties and unique wine styles that imbue a wonderful sense of place and individuality to the wines. Join us for this session, hosted by Master of Wine and Italian expert Michelle Cherutti-Kowal to explore:

• History of Puglia
• Statistics
• Size, topography, basic soil structure, climate and weather
• Major Grape varieties
• Wine Styles, Winemaking and Maturation
• SWOT Analysis
• Wines to try

About the Speaker:

Michelle is a dual Italian/Canadian citizen who left corporate life in Toronto moving to London (UK) to pursue her passion for wine. Today she is a highly-respected wine lecturer at WSET London and other wine schools around the world and is currently the Chair of the Education Committee for the Institute of Masters of Wine. Michelle is a freelance writer, with wine articles appearing in Decanter Wine Magazine and various trade publications. She is a frequent Presenter for various wine bodies and Trade Show speaker as well as Wine Judge (currently the Regional Chair for Tuscany, Decanter Wine Awards). Michelle has consulted to restaurants, wine companies and wineries using her specialist knowledge in Italy, France and the new world.

Timestamps:

Introduction to Puglia (00:01)
Michelle introduces herself and discusses her Canadian-Italian heritage and her interest in Puglia.

Historical Overview (00:02)
Michelle provides a brief history of Puglia, including its Greek and Roman influences, agricultural focus, and wine production trends.

Puglia's Statistics (00:08)
Detailed statistics about Puglia, including the length and width of the region, number of producers, vineyard size, and wine production breakdown.

Factors Affecting Wine Production (00:12)
Discussion on the region's terroir, topography, climate, and grape varieties, highlighting the unique characteristics and challenges of Puglia.

Main Grape Varieties (00:18)
Explanation of the major grape varieties, including native and non-native, and their significance in Puglia's wine production.

Native Grape Varieties (00:19)
Description of the dominant native grape varieties in Puglia, including their characteristics and usage in winemaking.

Wine Production Areas (00:27)
Explanation of the main wine production areas in Puglia, including the designation of origin and their significance in the export market.

Wine Styles and Winemaking (00:31)
Insight into the traditional and modern winemaking techniques in Puglia, emphasizing the shift towards fresher and fruitier wines.

Passito Style Wines (00:35)
Discussion of the passito style of winemaking, its impact on the export market, and the transformational effect on the wine styles of Puglia.

Strengths of the Region (00:38)
A SWOT analysis highlighting the strengths of the Puglia region in terms of wine production, including climate, grape variety, and value for money.

Threats and Opportunities (00:39)
Discussion of challenges like climate change and economic policies, and opportunities for native grapes and wine tourism.

Native Grapes and Consumer Perceptions (00:40)
Challenges of consumer perceptions of native grapes and their pronunciation, and the need for increased prices.

Unique Selling Opportunities (00:41)
Opportunities for Puglia in the rosé and white wine market, and the potential for organic growing and wine tourism.

Wine Styles and Recommendations (00:42)
Discussion of specific wine styles, including rosé, white, and old vine primitivo, with recommendations for exploration.

Producer Recommendations (00:45)
Recommendations for specific producers of obscure grape varieties in Puglia.

Aging Potential and IGP Designation (00:47)
Discussion of aging potential for wines and the use of IGP designation for various grape varieties.

Quality Wines and Aging Potential (00:48)
Exploration of the drainage and aging potential of Puglia's wines, focusing on top producers and extraction techniques.

Conclusion and Gratitude (00:50)
The conclusion of the webinar, expressing gratitude to Michelle and the attendees, and a preview of the next webinar.