Aglianico

Aglianico is one of the oldest autochthonous grape varieties in Italy, and it is considered proven that it has been cultivated uninterruptedly in the south of the country for over 2,500 years. The Greeks probably brought it to Puglia, from where it spread rapidly. But much more beautiful is the legend of the ancient Romans who believed that Bacchus himself - god of wine and fertility - had risen from the sky and planted the vines on the coast of Campania, on Monte Massico. There it still flourishes magnificently today, and especially on the soils of extinct volcanoes, she likes it. By far the largest part of the approximately 10,000 hectares of vineyards planted with Aglianico in Italy is in Campania and Basilicata, with a small remainder still falling on the neighbouring Puglia. These regions are characterised by the dry and hot climate that this grape variety is so fond of. But it is not only one of the oldest varieties in Italy, it is also one of the only ones that still has its roots. Thanks to the solid volcanic soil, where it has deep and firm roots, it was spared from the Europe-wide plagues of phylloxera in the second half of the 19th century. The nasty root pest was unable to get to the vine roots through the firm ground. Aglianico is thus becoming one of the very few plants in the country that is true to its roots. Aglianico belongs to the late ripening grape varieties, often the harvest lasts until November. Since it also sprouts very early, the plant has many opportunities to enrich its grapes with a variety of aromas during the particularly long ripening period. The quality of the wine stands and falls with the ripening period, only fully ripened berries guarantee the unmistakable aroma. Due to the strong sunlight and the long ripening period, the berries form a rather thick skin, which gives their wine a high proportion of tannins. This in turn makes it wonderfully storable. What is recommendable with pure Aglianico, still young it is closed and not very accessible. Over time, however, it develops a rich, spicy and full-bodied aroma with pronounced acidity. Not for nothing do lovers call it the Barolo of the South. The Taurasi DOCG with about 230 hectares in Campania and the Aglianico del Vulture DOC in Basilicata are considered the most renowned growing areas and attract international attention with their wines full of character. These wines are vinified as pure varieties and have a maturing period of at least three years. With an Aglianico you get a southern Italian summer evening in your glass, intense, dark and promising, it has captured the hot summer days and enchants with an aroma of ripe, dark berries, chocolate, violets, tannins and tobacco. When you then enjoy it, with hearty sausages or a grigliata, you will feel like you are on a summer day in the south.