Puglia’s largely flat, fertile lands have supported vines – and grains – since at least as far back as the 3rd century BC. There are very few mountains in the region, and it is bordered by warm sea waters. Topography, in the main, is gentle hills and those highly fertile plains, which, coupled with high summer temperatures (it can reach 45ºC) and the occasional sea breeze, make for superb grape-growing conditions. The two native red grapes we are looking at this month are the ‘black and bitter’ Negroamaro (used in most of the DOC wines in southern Puglia), and the deep, dark Primitivo (which is related to the popular North American Zinfandel).