Are you familiar with Basilicata? Sandwiched between Calabria to the south, and Campania to the north, it’s home to Mount Vulture, an extinct volcano that provides rich, mineral soils perfect for growing Aglianico. Centuries ago, the region was also notorious for its population of brigands who robbed passersby with abandon.

Carmine Crocco , aka the Robin Hood of Basilicata, ruled this territory from his headquarters outside Monticchio. Today, curious visitors can walk in his footsteps and explore the very caves his henchmen used to stash their loot and hide from the law. You can even tour the Museo Brigantaggio in Rionero, which is located in a restored Bourbon prison.

Before I preview Stage 5, here’s a recap of Stage 4, which showed potential weakness in a sentimental favorite for the GC, and ended with a new man in the Maglia Rosa. And, welcome back, Jhonatan Narvaez!

Stage 5: Praia a Mare to Potenza; 203 km; hilly

Wednesday’s stage is another tough slog for the peloton. Although there are only two categorized ascents, the peloton will climb almost 4,000 meters in total (thanks to a few steep stretches of road that were not categorized!) All of this should suit the current overall leader quite well: Giulio Ciccone of Team Lidl-Trek wrested the pink jersey from Uruguayan rider Guillermo Thomas Silva (Team XDS-Astana) on Tuesday, and has a strong enough team to support him through yet another long trek in the hills. Expect them to counter any breakaways that try to form while keeping a close eye on the whereabouts of Jonas Vingegaard and his Vizma-Lease-a-Bike mates.

Wine Recommendation: 2016 Casa Vinicola D’Angelo Caselle Aglianico del Vulture DOC ($35; 13.5% abv)

Grapes for this wine were grown in the 15-hectare Barile vineyard at 450-500 meters above sea level. The plots, planted on the slopes of Mount Vulture, face south-southeast and vary in age from 20 to 45 years old.

Thanks to the altitude of the vineyards and the rain shadow provided by Mount Vulture, the vines enjoy relatively cool and dry weather. Even in summer, there is a large diurnal temperature shift of 10-15 degrees Celsius at night, enabling the grapes to achieve phenolic ripeness in balance with the sugars. In many years, harvest extends late into October or early November.

Tasting Notes and Pairing

Deep ruby core with a garnet rim. Complex aromas of dried red cherry, cocoa powder, coffee, and crushed stone. As it opens, notes of dried rosemary, forest floor, and black raspberry emerge. Dried berries on the palate are complemented by smoky, savory notes. The fruit and meaty flavors do a lovely dance that is heightened by high acidity and ripe, smooth tannins. Knock-out pairing with cumin and oregano-spiced pork chops.

Enjoy Stage 5. See you tomorrow with details on what’s happening on Thursday!