Tre Bicchieri: the best wines from Basilicata awarded by Gambero Rosso

Basilicata's Tre Bicchieri 2024. Aglianico is the region's main grape variety

Here are the wines that this year received Tre Bicchieri, the highest award given by Gambero Rosso's Vini d'Italia guide.

Basilicata stands as one of the most stunning yet underappreciated regions of Italy. Reflecting upon this year's tastings feels akin to gazing at a photograph from years past, which with time seems increasingly faded and blurred. To clarify, despite the vast potential afforded by its terroir and native grapes, our recent tastings present a somewhat static portrait of the region. The heart of Basilicata's winemaking undoubtedly lies in the Vulture area, renowned for its time-honored commitment to producing exceptional wines, particularly with aglianico, the region's flagship grape. The majority of the reviewed wineries are based here, but notably, the leaders in the area continue to widen the gap between them and their followers.

A commendable five wines have been recognized, and with around twenty wines reaching our final tastings, these outcomes are indeed positive. However, the dilemma remains that the region could achieve so much more. Crafting wines that can compete on both national and international markets demands not just a conducive terroir and quality vineyards, but also well-equipped estates, top-notch expertise, and substantial investments in promotion. Such prerequisites aren't always within the reach of the winemakers of this region. Moreover, a less-than-sparkling market reception reflects negatively on the wines, which are sometimes held in the cellar longer than their counterparts from other appellations, with fresher vintages (we’re speaking primarily of reds here) and more radiant profiles.

That said, we ardently urge you to journey to these lands. You'll be struck by the breathtaking landscapes, the warm hospitality, the abundant artistic heritage, the richness of its culinary traditions, and, of course, its wines. Aglianico del Vulture rightfully claims its place among Italy's great reds, but encouraging signals also come from Materano, where increasingly compelling producers are emerging, and from the Grottino di Roccanova district. Many producers offer visitor experiences, but this also falls short of its potential; the future growth of the sector hinges on this very aspect. Once more, kudos to Elena Fucci, Cantine del Notaio, Terre degli Svevi-Re Manfredi, Terra dei Re, and Donato D'Angelo, who present wines of impeccable craftsmanship that stand peerless when juxtaposed with any of Italy's illustrious reds. Truly, a "coast-to-coast" journey through the region of the two seas is well worth the voyage.