Once again we will talk about the southern wine region of Campania and some other grapes grown in the region that make great wine. 

If you will remember, Campania is in southern part of Italy with it’s beautiful coastline, the city of Naples, and the ruins of Pompeii that was destroyed by the volcano Mt. Vesuvius. 

The volcanic soils provided great nutrients to the soil which makes it a great place to grow grapes and many other crops.  It is very green region due to warm temperatures and good rainfall.  

Greco di Tufo DOCG-

Greco Bianco is the grape of Greco di Tufo DOCG.  It is said that the grape origins are from Greece and is one of the oldest white varietals of Italy. 

There are claims that the ancient Romans enjoyed this wine. 

Tufo is the name of the town which most of the vineyards exist in the Avellino district.

The name Greco di Tufo means Greco (grape) di (from) Tufo (place).

Perhaps Campania’s most prestigious wine to the world, Greco di Tufo is a white wine of elegance, character and distinction. 

The aromas are peach, almonds and floral.  This is a strong case for what you smell is what you taste.

My experiences with the wine were quite delicious. 

In my early years of wine exploration, it was the closest wine to Chardonnay I had tasted from Italy.  Visually it has similar color in the glass, there is some nice viscosity and fuller bodied than the other white wines from the area.  The ones I tasted had spent some time in oak as well to lead me down the path of Chardonnay comparison.

The improvements in the fields and the passion of new producers is creating a broader range of styles for Greco di Tufo which is really good for the region.  They are still crisp and mineral, yet rich, full-flavored and complex.

Generally the wines start at about $20 and go up.  They do make a “Riserva” which requires at least one year of aging. 

And they make a bubbly wine or “Spumante” that must age 18 months on the lees (dead yeast) and the second fermentation is added to the bottles, which is the traditional method.

Food Pairing:

The minerality of the grape makes for a good pairing with seafood & fish. 

There is enough body for poultry & pork. 

Crème sauces and vegetable dishes will work too. 

Medium cheeses to triple cream brie-style.

AGLIANICO-

One of the most important red grape varietals grown in southern Italy is Aglianico (ah-L’YEE’AH-nee-koh).

This black skin grape can be a big, tannic, and powerful wine.  The thick skin of the grape holds more tannins which can come across a little overbearing in a young wine.

Oak aging is important here with this grape.  The oak can soften the tannins and round out the acids, which brings out more fruit.  The wines can be higher in alcohol too.

Similar to Sangiovese & Nebbiolo, oak-aged Aglianico wines can only get better over the years.  In some cases, Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot are added to the Aglianico to make a full-flavored, full-bodied red wine to compete with the big reds around the world.

For the impatient drinkers of this wine, some producers apply certain techniques to soften the tannins quicker and bring out more of the black fruit flavors. 

It's delicious as a young wine, but it becomes more amazing as it ages over time.

The grapes thrive on the heat and even though they bud early in the year, they are harvested late in the fall.

Aglianico is the main red grape grown in Campania, and the neighboring region of Basilicata- (Aglianico del Vulture DOC).

Aglianico has black fruit flavors, tobacco, chocolate, and spice.  There is this the rustic, earthy undertone throughout that mellows with aging.

A quick review of DOC's & DOCG's should help our understanding.

These laws are regional specific.  They were created by the producers of the wine within that boundry to regulate quality & regional intergrity.  Besides the percentage of grapes(s) in the mix, there can be rules regarding length of aging , if any, or use of oak, stainless steel or cement. 

If the region makes a "Riserva", it has some additional rules than the non-riserva.  The case of "Riserva", usually the differences are in the minimum alc. content & length of time in the aging process. 

Remember, every specific region has their own laws and it is not the same everywhere.  

Taurasi DOCG-

The Taurasi DOCG is the most renown red wine region of Campania.

Taurasi is a medieval city near Avellino, where great whites of Fiano and Falanghina prosper.  The vineyards surrounding Taurasi are in the boundaries of the DOCG.

There are many comparisons to the Barolo region in Piedmont, even down to the misty foggy days in the fall when the grapes are ready to be harvested.

Another comparison is when oak is used in the aging of the wine, the wine evolves into a different level of power and elegance. 

DOCG law requires that the wine must be aged 3 years of which 1 year of it is in oak barrels.  The “Riserva” requires one more year of aging of which 18 months must be in oak.

The vineyards are at a higher elevation, (1300 ft.) which gives the vineyards strength & character to the grapes. 

The volcanic soil gives the vines great nutrients to grow and develop.

The wines of Taurasi DOCG are big, hearty wines with good tannin structure.  The older vintages  are still stunning and vibrant.  The aging softens the tannins and allows the fruit to develop.

Pricing on these “Barolos of the South”, Taurasi DOCG starts at about $25 and goes up to $150 or more.  This is considerably lower than the Barolo’s from Piedmont up north.

Aglianico Del Vulture DOC- 

We are going to take a right turn here and go to the neighboring region of Basilicata because Basilicata hosts a great Aglianico grape growing area known as Aglianico del Vulture DOC.

I mean no disrespect to the rest of Basilicata, but with only 3 areas that have DOC’s and limited exports of the wine, it isn’t worth devoting an entire release on it at this point in time.  

Basilicata sits between Puglia & Campania to the north, and coastline in the south. 

Most of the area is very rugged, mountainous terrain.  This makes it difficult to grow grapes and makes it harder to do the already hard work of producing wine.

Basilicata is one of the poorest regions in Italy.  Most of their grape and olive production is for the people rather than for exporting.  The exception is Aglianico del Vulture DOC.

Aglianico del Vulture DOC lies on the slope of the extinct volcano Mount Vulture.  Again, the volcanic soil is excellent for growing grapes and making great wine. 

All vineyards are “dry farmed”with no irrigation.  Good thing they get adequate moisture.

This area produces about 235,000 cases of wine annually. 

The flavor profile of Aglianico here in Basilcata is similar to Aglianico grown in Campania or Puglia except there is a more pronounced plum component.

Another difference between the two regions is there is a Aglianico del Vulture Superiore DOCG.

The “Superiore” designation means different things in different places. 

The general idea is a "Superiore" designation means the wine is a higher quality level than the regular DOC or DOCG.  The production is considerably less, & price is usually higher. 

In this instance, the difference is mostly in regard to the length of time in the aging of the wine before releasing it.

It becomes a DOCG, with more restrictions in production and better acceptance from the consumer.

Minimum aging for Superiore DOCG is 3 yrs with minimums of 1yr in oak barrels & 1 yr in the bottle.

The Riserva is 5 yrs of aging with minimums of 2yrs in oak & 1yr in bottle.

Aglianico del Vulture Superiore DOCG produces around 6,600 cases a year.

We get to see some of that in the USA.  Those that live on the coastal areas of the USA have better opportunities to get these wines than those that live in Colorado like me.

If that isn’t enough to keep track of, they also make a “Spumante” or sparkling wine that is made in the traditional method of adding the second fermentation in the bottle.

In summary, it is safe to say you can find some amazing Aglainico wines at fair prices. 

The wines made with the grape are sure to please the person who likes a balanced & hearty red wine. 

It is a true gem of a wine from southern Italy!

Food Pairings-

Aglianico is a full-bodied wine so it would be great with full-flavored foods like beef, game, roasted meats, hearty sauces, mushrooms, truffles, and BBQ. 

Aged cheeses would also work nicely. 

If you can get Caciocavallo Silano DOP cheese, which is the regional cheese, that would be a great pairing.  Big flavors for a big wine.

Speaking of Caciocavallo Silano DOP, here is a picture of it.  It is made from either sheep’s milk or cow’s milk.  It is aged 30 days by hanging over boards with rope or string around the “neck” or the ball at the top.  It’s comparable to Pecorino or Parmesan cheese. 

*DOP, or Denominazione di Origine Protetta, is the Italian acronym for “Protected Designation of Origin”. The strictest of Italy’s geographical indication certifications, it is a legal guarantee that a product is produced, processed, and packaged entirely in a fixed geographic area and follows that region’s traditional methods for optimal quality and authenticity.