Capocollo di Martina Franca nears EU PGI status

The capocollo di Martina Franca is nearing official recognition as a European Union Protected Geographical Indication (PGI). The European Commission has announced the upcoming publication of the registration regulation in the Official Journal of the EU, a step that will provide legal protection for this traditional cured meat from the Puglia region.

The production area spans three municipalities in the Valle d’Itria: Martina Franca, Locorotondo, and Cisternino. The product is characterized by specific traditional methods, including curing with ‘mire cutte’ (a cooked wine made from Verdeca and Bianco d’Alessano grapes) and smoking with fragno wood and dried leaves. The process relies on manual craftsmanship, utilizing natural pig casings known as ‘muletta’ and specific environmental conditions such as high altitude and ventilated climates.