WTI Magazine #75    2016 January 18
Author : Jennifer Gentile Martin for www.vinotravelsitaly.com      Translation by:

Welcome to 2016! For the beginning of this new year we tackle some of the lesser discovered regions of Italy and they're all to the south starting with Basilicata. I've always appreciated all wines and of course I have some favorite Italian grapes, but the grape I'm sharing with you today, aglianico, is one I have grown to love the more I try it. Today I want to focus on what aglianico is and the wines it produces in the Basilicata.

All About Aglianico
Two of the main regions that use the aglianico grape in their wine production are the Basilicata and also Campania. In Campania the wines to seek out are Taurasi and Aglianico del Taburno. In the Basilicata the 1 DOCG of the region is the Aglianico del Vulture Superiore. The aglianico grape was believed to be brought to Basilicata by the Greeks. The aglianico grown on the slopes of Monte Vulture in the volcanic soils that produce wines deep in color resulting in wines that are rich and robust. The temperatures of this area are rather cool so the grapes have a long growing season into the end of October that help the grapes to developer complexities and balance.

Grifalco della Lucania
Today I'm sharing the 2010 Grifalco della Lucania Aglianico del Vulture DOC. Deep ruby in color and lighter around the rim. This aglianico is intense on the nose with a lot of tobacco, plum notes, cedar, a little smokiness and earthy as well as some cinnamon. Lots going on in this wine. Dry on the palette, full-bodied with bright acidity and a persistent intense finish. Retail: $16

The difference between the Aglianico del Vulture DOC and Aglianico del Vulture Superiore DOCG
The biggest difference between the Aglianico DOC and DOCG wines of this region are mainly the aging process and lesser strict regulations including the DOCG wines only being able to be grown in Potenza where the DOC wines grown in either Potenza or Matera. This DOC wine only has to age 1 year in comparison to the DOCG again 2 years and 4 years for a riserva, but they are both are made of 100% aglianico.