Verdeca is a white Italian wine grape variety that is primarily grown in Apulia in southern Italy where ampelographers believe that the grape may have originated. In Apulia, it is one of the main grapes in the Denominazione di origine controllata wines of Locorotondo DOC and Martina Franca DOC along with Bianco d'Alessano. In Campania, it is grown on the slopes of Mount Vesuvius where it used as a blending variety with Falanghina, Coda di volpe and Greco in both the white wines and the sweet dessert wine of the region, Lacryma Christi. It is also a minor component used in the some vermouth production.
Verdeca is widely grown throughout the Puglia region.
Some Verdeca is grown on the volcanic slopes of Mount Vesuvius (pictured) where it is blended with the local white wine and in the dessert wine Lacryma Christi.
Martina Franca, or just Martina, is a town and municipality in the province of Taranto, Apulia, Italy. It is the second most populated town of the province after Taranto, and has a population (2016) of 49,086. Since 1975, the town has hosted the annual summer opera festival, the Festival della Valle d'Itria.
Piazza Plebiscito and the Cathedral
Panoramic view
Martucci Palace in Piazza Roma
Ducal Palace in Piazza Roma