Puglia, the heel of the Italian boot, is a long, relatively level region with a prolific production of wine. In the past, the region often surpassed Sicily and Veneto in output, though Puglia's former title of "Europe's wine cellar" no longer carries much weight. As traditional markets for strong blending wines have diminished, Puglia's producers have increasingly put the accent on premium quality. Some have come forth with good to excellent wines: dry, balanced reds, whites and rose, as well as sweet wines from a great range of grape varieties, both native and foreign.