Campania Flashcards
What are the four DOCG’s of Campania and what year were they each established?
Taurasi DOCG 1993
Greco di Tufo 2003
Fiano di Avellino 2003
Aglianico del Taburno DOCG 2011
What is Falernian?
a Campanian wine sourced from the slopes of Monte Massico
—was among the most famous and highly prized wines in the world at the height of the Roman Empire in the first century—into the fourth century.
—Falernian vintage of 121 BCE remained legendary for several hundred years.
—sweet or dry, strong enough to be inflammable, and probably produced from the Aminean grape, a Greek import known today as Greco.
—Contemporary version improves on wines of the Falerno del Massico DOC on the volcanic tufa soils, reds made from Aglianico/Primitivo; whites made from Falanghina.
How much Campania wine is DOC or above?
Less than 10%
What five grapes comprise a majority of Campania’s DOC/DOCG wines?
White- Falanghina, Greco, and Fiano
Red-Aglianico and Piedirosso (“red feet”)
Falerno del Massico DOC
Style?
—White: min 85% Falanghina
—Red: min 60% Aglianico and max 40% Piedirosso
—Varietal Primitivo
What DOC and province is Taurasi DOCG within?
The inland DOC of Irpinia within the provence of Avellino
What DOC and province is Aglianico del Taburno DOCG
The DOC of Sannio within the provence of Benevento
Describe the 3 distinct areas of Campania by soil type?
On the basis of its soil types the region can be broadly grouped into three parts. The volcanic, sandy soils of DOC Vesuvio and DOC Campi Flegrei are almost in the suburbs of Naples closest to the coast, where the white falanghina and red piedirosso are planted on their own rootstocks as phylloxera cannot survive there
The second soil type, alluvial sediments, prevails in the DOC Sannio on the Piana Campania Plain between Naples and Benevento. Within the DOC of Sannio, is the DOCG of Aglianico del Taburno.
The third soil type is the porous limestone which typifies the hills of the DOC Irpinia. It was called tufo by the Romans (hence greco di Tufo)—incorrectly as it is not of volcanic origin. Within Irpinia lie the superior DOCGs of Taurasi, Fiano di Avellino, and Greco di Tufo.
What is the grape percentage and aging requirements for Taurasi DOCG and Taurasi reserva DOCG?
85% min Aglianico
must be aged a min three years prior to release, with one year in wood. Riserva is four years w/ 18 months in wood
What is the grape percentage and styles of wine found in Aglianico del Taburno DOCG?
85% min Aglianico
Rosato: May not be released prior to March 1 of the year following the harvest
Rosso: Min 2 years from November 1 of the harvest year
Rosso Riserva: Min. 3 years from November 1 of the harvest year, including at least 1 year in wood and 6 months in bottle
What are the three main white grapes of Campania? Describe the differences.
–Falanghina: The fruitiest and broadest in flavor, and the most aromatic; often rich and minerally, and tasting of its lees; seems to be best when consumed in its first three years or so.
–Greco di Tufo: Earthy and rich, with lots of personality and obvious flavors; a showy wine; can age well for six to eight years.
–Fiano di Avellino: The thoroughbred of the three; the most floral, with the most delicate flavors, often of hazelnuts; very elegant, and the most long-lived (12 to 15 years); needs a few years to develop.
What are the grapes of both red and white Lacryma Christi del Vesuvio and what is the translation?
Christ’s Tears at Vesuvius
Red-Piedirosso, Scianscinoso, and Aglianico
White-Verdeca, Coda di Volpe, and Falanghina
What is the capital of Campania?
Naples
**largest and most important city in Southern Italy; a World Heritage Site.
Greco di Tufo DOCG
Minimum percentage?
What grape may make up the remainder?
Min 85% Greco; max 15% Coda di Volpe
Costa di Amalfi DOC
Style?
White: min. 40% combined Falanghina and/or Biancolella
Red: min. 40% Piedirosso, max. 60% combined Aglianico and/or Sciascinoso (aka: Olivella).
