Looking at the Italian boot, Puglia represents the heel and Basilicata, also called Lucania, is the arch. The region has a long history of co-operative winemaking, which in recent years has been instrumental in moving towards premium wines. As state subsidies for co-operative wineries have become virtually non-existent, the larger producers had little choice but to reduce production and focus on quality. Consequently, these two regions together now have four DOCG wines and 29 DOC’s, more than any other area in the south. Also, the six IGTs that produce increasing quantities of quality wines that are acknowledged internationally for representing good value. All will be explained – and tasted!