Wine Denomination from Puglia
Cacce 'Mmitte di Lucera is one of the most historically significant DOC wines of northern Puglia, produced in the ancient city of Lucera and its surrounding territory in the Daunia subregion. The curious dialect name roughly translates to "pour and drink more," suggesting a wine of generous, convivial character meant to be enjoyed freely at the table. The blend is dominated by montepulciano and sangiovese, along with the indigenous Uva di Troia grape, creating a deeply colored and robust red wine with strong local identity. This denomination has roots going back centuries, and its survival into the modern era reflects the deep attachment the people of Lucera have to their winemaking tradition.
The production zone for Cacce 'Mmitte di Lucera DOC is centered on the municipality of Lucera and extends into several surrounding communes in the province of Foggia, in the northern part of Puglia. This area, historically known as the Tavoliere delle Puglie, is one of the largest plains in southern Italy, bordered to the north by the Gargano promontory and to the west by the Subappennino Dauno hills. The terroir is characterized by deep calcareous clay soils and a continental climate with hot, dry summers and cool winters, which promotes good ripening and concentration in the red grapes cultivated here.
The main grape variety in Cacce 'Mmitte di Lucera DOC is Uva di Troia (also known as Nero di Troia), a native black grape of considerable structure and tannic backbone. This is complemented by montepulciano, which adds deep color, body, and a touch of spice, and sangiovese, which contributes freshness and aromatic complexity. The blend may also include small percentages of Malvasia Nera, malvasia del Chianti, and trebbiano toscano. The DOC regulations prescribe specific minimum percentages for each variety to preserve the traditional character of the wine.
Vinification of Cacce 'Mmitte di Lucera DOC follows traditional southern Italian red wine practices. Grapes are harvested by hand in late September and early October, then destemmed and crushed before undergoing maceration on the skins, typically for 10 to 15 days, to extract color, tannins, and aromatic compounds. Fermentation is conducted in stainless steel at controlled temperatures. The wine may be briefly aged in large wooden casks of Slavonian oak or in small barriques, depending on the producer's style, before bottling. The result is a wine that is robust yet approachable, with good aging potential.
Cacce 'Mmitte di Lucera DOC presents a deep ruby red color that tends toward garnet with aging. On the nose, it offers intense aromas of ripe black cherry, plum, tobacco, and dried herbs, with hints of leather and spice in more mature examples. On the palate, it is full-bodied with firm, well-integrated tannins, good acidity, and a long, warm finish. The wine pairs excellently with rich meat dishes, aged cheeses, and traditional Pugliese cuisine such as braised lamb with wild herbs and orecchiette with meat ragù.
Lucera is an ancient city in the province of Foggia, situated on a gentle hill overlooking the Tavoliere plain at approximately 240 meters above sea level. The area has been inhabited since the Neolithic period and was an important center during the Roman Empire and the Swabian kingdom of Frederick II. The climate in this part of Puglia is semi-arid Mediterranean, with very hot summers, moderate rainfall concentrated in autumn and winter, and cool nights that help preserve aromatic freshness in the grapes. The soils of the Daunia subregion vary from sandy loams in the lower plains to heavier clay-limestone mixtures on the hillsides.
Cacce 'Mmitte di Lucera DOC was officially recognized with a Denominazione di Origine Controllata designation and is regulated by a production discipline that defines permitted grape varieties, yield limits, minimum alcohol content, and aging requirements. The wine must be produced exclusively within the defined municipal boundaries in the Foggia province. For information on other notable red DOC wines of Puglia, one may also consult the castel-del-monte-doc denomination further south in the Bari area. The disciplinare aims to protect the unique character of this historic wine while allowing producers some flexibility in their vinification approach.