Discover the Enigmatic Aglianico Grape
Life is too short to drink bad wine
What is Aglianico?
Explore the richness of Southern Italian wine culture and discover the enigmatic Aglianico wine, made from a black grape that originated in ancient Greece.
Pronounced “ahl-YAH-nee-koe,” this grape has journeyed from its Greek origins to find a home in the sun-drenched vineyards of Campania, Southern Italy.
Unravelling the Origins: From Greece to Southern Italy
Legend has it that Aglianico’s name may stem from its Greek roots. Some suggest it as a corruption of “vitis hellenica,” Latin for “Greek vine.”
Alternatively, it may trace its lineage to “Apulianicum,” the Latin moniker for Southern Italy during the Roman Empire.
Whatever its etymology, Aglianico has cemented its status as a premier grape, once reigning as the cornerstone of the illustrious Falernian wine, coveted in the days of ancient Rome.
The vine
Aglianico is a remarkable grape variety that thrives in arid climates, where it can bask in ample sunlight to reach its full potential.
Despite its resilience to many challenges, such as drought and disease, it demands careful cultivation. This is due to its vulnerability to Peronospora and botrytis.
The unique character of this grape develops gradually. It is harvested as late as November in some areas, and it is shaped by the volcanic soils and the meticulous care that is taken in the vineyard.
Aglianico Wine: A Symphony of Flavors and Ageing Potential
The result is a complex and full-bodied wine boasting firm tannins and lively acidity. It features a rich bouquet and intense flavours of dark fruit, spices, and earthy notes.
Indulge in the exquisite taste of these wine that promises to age gracefully, revealing a depth of rich and complex flavours. These wines are perfectly suited to complement hearty dishes such as succulent lamb, providing a truly satisfying culinary experience.
Aglianico is known for its ability to age gracefully.
As it matures in casks and later in the bottle, it undergoes a transformation that results in a more complex and nuanced flavour profile.
The wine starts with youthful vigour, featuring bright fruit notes that are characteristic of its grape variety.
However, as it ages, the wine begins to develop more depth and complexity, revealing notes of chocolate and plum.
These flavours are complemented by the wine’s deep garnet hue, which becomes more pronounced with time. Overall, Aglianico is a wine that rewards patience. It is well worth the wait for those who appreciate a wine that has evolved over time.
A Day in the Vineyard: Capturing the Essence of Harvest
Step into the heart of Aglianico grape harvesting, where every vine tells a story of dedication and passion.
Join the pruners as they toil under the Mediterranean sun. Watch their labour culminating in a symphony of flavours captured in each plump grape.
Indulge in the exquisite artistry and centuries-old tradition that is effortlessly infused into every bottle of Aglianico wine.
Explore the sprawling vineyards of Irpinia. Here the unique terroir and long-standing winemaking techniques have culminated in the creation of this grape steeped in history.
From its robust body to its complex flavour profile, Aglianico wine is a true masterpiece that promises to leave an unforgettable impression on your palate.
Embark on a journey through the vineyards of Southern Italy and discover the timeless allure of Aglianico—a grape steeped in history yet ripe with possibilities for the future.
![L'Aglianico è un vitigno rosso coltivato prevalentemente in Basilicata, Campania, Puglia e Molise. È un vitigno antico, probabilmente originario della Grecia e introdotto in Italia intorno al VII-VI secolo a.C. Una delle tante testimonianze della sua lunga storia è il ritrovamento dei resti di un torchio romano nella zona di Rionero in Vulture, provincia di Potenza. Non ci sono certezze sulle origini del nome, che potrebbero risalire all'antica città di Elea (Eleanico), sulla costa tirrenica della Campania, o essere più semplicemente una storpiatura della parola Ellenico. Testimonianze storico-letterarie sulla presenza di questo vitigno si trovano in Orazio, che cantò le qualità della sua terra natia Venosa e del suo ottimo vino. Il nome originario (Elleanico o Ellenico) divenne Aglianico durante la dominazione aragonese nel corso del XV secolo, a causa della doppia l pronunciata gli nell'uso fonetico spagnolo. E' il vitigno fondamentale per la produzione del prestigioso Taurasi, importante DOCG rosso del Sud Italia. Aglianico (pronounced [aʎˈʎaːniko], roughly "ahl-YAH-nee-koe") is a black grape grown in the Basilicata and Campania regions of Italy. The vine originated in Greece and was brought to the south of Italy by Greek settlers. The name may be a corruption of vitis hellenica, Latin for "Greek vine." Another etymology posits a corruption of Apulianicum, the Latin name for the whole of southern Italy in the time of ancient Rome. During this period, it was the principal grape of the famous Falernian wine, the Roman equivalent of a first-growth wine today. In Campania, the area in and around the village of Taurasi produces Aglianico's only DOCG wine, also called Taurasi. The Aglianico vine buds early and grows best in dry climates with generous amounts of sunshine. It has good resistance to outbreaks of oidium, but can be very susceptible to Peronospera. It also has low resistance to botrytis, but since it is much too tannic to make a worthwhile dessert wine, the presence of this noble rot in the vineyard is more of a viticultural hazard than an advantage. The grape has a tendency to ripen late, with harvests as late as November in some parts of southern Italy. If the grape is picked too early, or with excessive yields, the grape can be aggressively tannic. The vine seems to thrive in particularly volcanic soils.](https://www.photosontheroad.eu/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/21102012-1210_Paternopoli-Vendemmia_5876.jpg "The remains")
