Region: Campagna (Campania), Basilicata
Quality Level in EU/Italian Wine Law: Taurasi DOCG, Taburno DOCG, Vulture DOC/G
Established: The Taurasi DOCG was established in 1970 and elevated in 1993. It is considered the best of the Aglianico denominations.
Taburno was established in 1986 and elevated in 2011.
Vulture and Vulture Superiore DOC/G is found in the Region of Basilicata and was established in 1971 and elevated in 2010
Primary Grape Varieties: Aglianico wines are 85% varietal with potential blending partners of other locally approved red varieties. There is a riserva version with higher potential alcohol (ripeness) and increased aging requirements. In Taurasi the red wines are aged a minimum of 3 years with one in barrel and 4 years for riserva with 18 months in barrel.
Taburno has 4-5 months of bottle aging for rose styles, 2 year on the red wines and 3 years with at least one in wood for the Riserva
Vulture is similar to Taurasi but are 100% Aglianico by rule with 3 years/12 months in barrel and 6 years/24 months in barrel for rosso and riserva versions.
Taburno also requires 85% Aglianico but most prefer 100% with aging of at least two years. Reserve wines from this region require at least three years with one in wood and 6 months in bottle. The grape is often called Aglianico Amaro and is a unique biotype of the region.
Pairs with: Pizza or simple red sauce pasta dishes. This is a perfect pizza wine.
Wine Styles: Taurasi style wines are red or riserva while Taburno offers rosato (rose) wines as well as the traditional red and riserva styles. Vulture
Aglianico is one of the three greatest red varieties (Aglianico, Nebbiolo, Sangiovese) of Italy and one of the oldest grapes. The best sites for this grape are on volcanic soils and mountainous slopes, producing wines of very high acidity, pronounced and unique mineralogy, floral, red fruited, and herbal wines. The wine name is believed to have Greek origins but DNA research shows the variety to have no ties to Greek grapes and is considered to have originated in Italy. The first known mention of this grape dates back to 1520 and the Campania region.
Aglianico is planted in other regions but is well known to have two very important and prestigious wines, one in Campania and the other in Basilicata. Both zones are on ancient volcanos and have some similarities but also express the Agliaico variety in unique ways.
In Basilicata, Aglianico del Vulture has a production zone located on Mount Vulture at altitudes between 450 and 600 meters. The older vineyards see almost exclusively volcanic soils but more recent plantings are moving into areas with more clay. Quality has been rising in recent decades both here and in Taurasi, the best known DOCG for Aglianico in Campania. Both wines are weighty and concentrated wines that can sometimes express smoky character. The grape maintains its acidity even in the warmer climates of Southern Italy and can produce very high quality and balanced wines. Due to this unique characteristic, there is growing interest in Aglianico outside of Italy and is beginning to find a foothold in Australia.
Taurasi is considered to be one of the most prestigious DOCGs and wine growing regions of Southern Italy. It was the first to receive DOCG status in the South with elevated vineyards of 300-700 meters located on the Calore River. The calcareous and clay soils have a caring origin and they are blended with volcanic soils of ash, tuff and pumice. The vines are trained in the Guyot method for modern purposes but one can still find old vines in the traditional raggiera system - a type of overhead, wheel pattern.
Aglianico is a thick skinned grape that ripens very late and can struggle during the very hot summers and/or drought conditions. The wine can be similar to Barolo from the north and is often referred to as the "Barolo of the South". The wines are naturally high in tannin and acidity and benefit greatly from oak and some bottle aging before release. Without these, the wines would be astringent and unapproachable.
Due to the thick skins, the wines are highly extracted and dark with powerful aromas and flavors. They remain balanced even with the typically high alcohol levels as the acidity opens the wine up, elevates it and enables the drinker to distinguish each flavor and characteristic clearly and independent of each other. The wines have the strong structure of tannin and acidity and are therefore age worthy and will develop nicely over time.
Antonio Mastroberardino is the father of Campania's wine industry. Working with his brothers after the World Wars and the phylloxera havoc, Antionio replanted with local varieties rather than the more productive Sangiovese and Trebbiano grapes. This was a daring move as the entire region was trying to recover from economic disaster but it proved to be worthwhile as the wines gained great reputation and sell for a much higher price.
Quality Level in EU/Italian Wine Law: Taurasi DOCG, Taburno DOCG, Vulture DOC/G
Established: The Taurasi DOCG was established in 1970 and elevated in 1993. It is considered the best of the Aglianico denominations.
Taburno was established in 1986 and elevated in 2011.
Vulture and Vulture Superiore DOC/G is found in the Region of Basilicata and was established in 1971 and elevated in 2010
Primary Grape Varieties: Aglianico wines are 85% varietal with potential blending partners of other locally approved red varieties. There is a riserva version with higher potential alcohol (ripeness) and increased aging requirements. In Taurasi the red wines are aged a minimum of 3 years with one in barrel and 4 years for riserva with 18 months in barrel.
Taburno has 4-5 months of bottle aging for rose styles, 2 year on the red wines and 3 years with at least one in wood for the Riserva
Vulture is similar to Taurasi but are 100% Aglianico by rule with 3 years/12 months in barrel and 6 years/24 months in barrel for rosso and riserva versions.
Taburno also requires 85% Aglianico but most prefer 100% with aging of at least two years. Reserve wines from this region require at least three years with one in wood and 6 months in bottle. The grape is often called Aglianico Amaro and is a unique biotype of the region.
Pairs with: Pizza or simple red sauce pasta dishes. This is a perfect pizza wine.
Wine Styles: Taurasi style wines are red or riserva while Taburno offers rosato (rose) wines as well as the traditional red and riserva styles. Vulture
Aglianico is one of the three greatest red varieties (Aglianico, Nebbiolo, Sangiovese) of Italy and one of the oldest grapes. The best sites for this grape are on volcanic soils and mountainous slopes, producing wines of very high acidity, pronounced and unique mineralogy, floral, red fruited, and herbal wines. The wine name is believed to have Greek origins but DNA research shows the variety to have no ties to Greek grapes and is considered to have originated in Italy. The first known mention of this grape dates back to 1520 and the Campania region.
Aglianico is planted in other regions but is well known to have two very important and prestigious wines, one in Campania and the other in Basilicata. Both zones are on ancient volcanos and have some similarities but also express the Agliaico variety in unique ways.
In Basilicata, Aglianico del Vulture has a production zone located on Mount Vulture at altitudes between 450 and 600 meters. The older vineyards see almost exclusively volcanic soils but more recent plantings are moving into areas with more clay. Quality has been rising in recent decades both here and in Taurasi, the best known DOCG for Aglianico in Campania. Both wines are weighty and concentrated wines that can sometimes express smoky character. The grape maintains its acidity even in the warmer climates of Southern Italy and can produce very high quality and balanced wines. Due to this unique characteristic, there is growing interest in Aglianico outside of Italy and is beginning to find a foothold in Australia.
Taurasi is considered to be one of the most prestigious DOCGs and wine growing regions of Southern Italy. It was the first to receive DOCG status in the South with elevated vineyards of 300-700 meters located on the Calore River. The calcareous and clay soils have a caring origin and they are blended with volcanic soils of ash, tuff and pumice. The vines are trained in the Guyot method for modern purposes but one can still find old vines in the traditional raggiera system - a type of overhead, wheel pattern.
Aglianico is a thick skinned grape that ripens very late and can struggle during the very hot summers and/or drought conditions. The wine can be similar to Barolo from the north and is often referred to as the "Barolo of the South". The wines are naturally high in tannin and acidity and benefit greatly from oak and some bottle aging before release. Without these, the wines would be astringent and unapproachable.
Due to the thick skins, the wines are highly extracted and dark with powerful aromas and flavors. They remain balanced even with the typically high alcohol levels as the acidity opens the wine up, elevates it and enables the drinker to distinguish each flavor and characteristic clearly and independent of each other. The wines have the strong structure of tannin and acidity and are therefore age worthy and will develop nicely over time.
Antonio Mastroberardino is the father of Campania's wine industry. Working with his brothers after the World Wars and the phylloxera havoc, Antionio replanted with local varieties rather than the more productive Sangiovese and Trebbiano grapes. This was a daring move as the entire region was trying to recover from economic disaster but it proved to be worthwhile as the wines gained great reputation and sell for a much higher price.
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