Radici del Sud 2025: Celebrating the Roots of Southern Italian Wine and Food
The twentieth edition of Radici del Sud recently concluded spectacularly, marking another milestone for this renowned annual celebration of Southern Italian wine and culinary excellence. Held from June 4th to 9th, 2025, at the historic former Distillery Paolo Cassano in Gioia del Colle, Puglia, this unique gathering brought together wine producers, international buyers, wine critics, journalists, and passionate consumers to celebrate and promote the authentic flavors of the South.
A Rich History of Southern Italian Wine Promotion
Founded in 2005, Radici del Sud (literally “Roots of the South”) was created to highlight the often-underestimated viticulture of Southern Italy. What began as a showcase exclusively for Apulian wineries has significantly grown over the years to include wines from all Southern Italian regions: Puglia, Campania, Calabria, Basilicata, Sicily, Molise, Abruzzo, and Sardegna. The event’s core mission remains unchanged: to highlight the unique identity of these wines and support producers in reaching international markets. This is accomplished through professional tastings, B2B meetings, and conferences that aim to promote a more sustainable and locally-driven wine culture, emphasizing indigenous grape varieties like Primitivo, Negroamaro, Aglianico, Nero d’Avola, and Greco.
The 2025 Event Experience
This year’s edition offered participants a comprehensive immersion into Southern Italian wine culture. The program began with guided tours on June 5th and 6th, allowing guests to explore the charming areas of Southern Italy, visit local cellars, discover historical heritage sites, and enjoy traditional Mediterranean cuisine at carefully selected top restaurants. The heart of the event took place on June 7th and 8th with structured B2B meetings between producers and industry professionals. With approximately 20 wine producers featured in each session, this format allowed winemakers to tell the story of their wines and showcase their winery’s complete selection in an intimate, focused setting. The festivities concluded on June 9th with a grand tasting featuring over 100 wine and olive oil producers from Southern Italy. Open to both enthusiasts and industry specialists, this showcase provided the perfect opportunity for importers and visitors to discover new products while having time to explore the beautiful city of Bari.
Wine Competition and Quality Recognition
A major highlight of Radici del Sud is its prestigious wine competition, where a panel of international wine experts conducts blind tastings of hundreds of wines from Southern Italy. The judges assess wines not only for technical excellence but also for their ability to express terroir and tradition across different categories. The overall quality of samples in this year’s blind tasting was exceptional, with several outstanding wines capturing attention. Puglia rosés impressed with their unique bright character, while some lingering whites from Calabria demonstrated remarkable complexity. The deep, dark, powerful reds that Southern Italy is famous for once again showcased their distinctive character and intensity.
Beyond Wine: Celebrating Culinary Heritage
Radici del Sud is not exclusively about wine. The event also celebrates the rich culinary heritage of Southern Italy through cooking shows, tastings of local specialties, and presentations from some of the region’s most innovative chefs and food artisans. This holistic approach reinforces the connection between the land, its wines, and its traditional cuisine.
Wine Tourism in Puglia
Puglia has emerged as a top wine tourism destination, a fact underscored by the event. The region’s wine producers are well-prepared to welcome visitors, with almost all participating wineries offering dedicated wine tourism facilities and tasting cellars. Furthermore, over half provide integrated experiences such as cooking classes, wellness programs, and wine tours that highlight the local landscape and culture.Popular wine experiences include sunset tastings, vineyard dinners, and opportunities to participate in grape harvests. Many of these wineries also provide accommodation, allowing wine lovers to truly immerse themselves in the terroir.
A Platform for Southern Italian Excellence
Over the years, Radici del Sud has grown significantly in both size and influence, becoming a crucial event for those looking to explore the hidden gems of Italy’s southern wine regions. In an industry often dominated by wines from northern and central Italy, Radici del Sud continues to give voice to the South, an area where sun, soil, and centuries of tradition combine to create wines of remarkable character. The 21st edition of Radici del Sud once again demonstrated that Southern Italian wines deserve recognition on the international stage. Through its commitment to showcasing authentic terroir-driven wines and supporting local producers, the event continues to strengthen the reputation of Southern Italy as a source of distinctive, high-quality wines that reflect its unique cultural and geographical heritage.
