Uva di Troia

Uva di Troia or Nero di Troia -- I've seen it now both ways -- is a grape grown primarily in southern Italy that makes for a great wine.

We first enjoyed Uva di Troia last year when we traveled through Puglia. Please note, kind readers, it's thought to have originated in Ancient Troy, hence the name.

Il Nostro Inviato found a bottle of Nero di Troia at the Dekalb Farmers Market here in Atlanta Saturday and we promptly drank it that night.

It was good! It's a hearty red, which went well with the grilled chicken and pasta he had prepared.

(Looking over this post, I realize I've neglected to mention another minor reason we like to drink Uva di Troia: the word troia in Italian means hoebag! You know, bitch. Che brutta troia. Kind of funny. He he he.)

Uva di Troia was one of three types of wine that we drank throughout Puglia -- the other two being Primitivo and Negroamaro. What's interesting is these wines are already making their way into bottle shops and restaurants in the U.S.

I don't know what you're drinking at dinner, but I would put aside the Merlot, the Shiraz, the Cabernet Sauvignon, and try these wines. You won't be disappointed!

Here are the details:

Bottaccia Puglia IGT 2005 Nero di Troia
Torre Quarto -- Cerignola (FG)
13 percent alcohol by volume