Aglianico
| Aglianico | |
|---|---|
| Grape(Vitis) | |
 Illustration of Aglianico grape | |
| Color of berry skin | Black |
| Species | Vitis vinifera |
| Also called | Gnanico, Agliatica, Ellenico, Ellanico, Uva Nera and "Southern Barolo" |
| Origin | Italy |
| Notable wines | Aglianico del Vulture,Taurasi |
| Hazards | Peronospora |
| VIVCnumber | 121 |
Aglianico(English:/ælˈjænɪkoʊ/al-YAN-ik-oh,[1]Italian:[aʎˈʎaːniko]) is a black grape grown in the southern regions ofItaly,mostlyBasilicataandCampania.It is considered withSangioveseandNebbioloto be one of the three greatest Italian varieties.[2]Aglianico is sometimes called "The Barolo of the South" (il Barolo del Sud) due to its ability to produce highly refined, complex fine wines like the famous wine fromPiedmont,Barolo.[3]
History
[edit]The origins of both the vine itself and its name are unclear. Traditionally, the vine is thought to have originated inGreece,first cultivated byPhociansfrom an unidentified ancestral vine; it was then brought toCumae,near modern-dayPozzuoli,byGreek settlersin the 8th century BC, and from there it spread intosouthern Italy.However, modern DNA analysis of Aglianico does not support this view, revealing little relation to other Greek grape varieties. Its parentage also remains unknown, implying that it is likely to be endemic to its region.[2]If Aglianico was imported to Italy from Greece, no original Greek plantings have persisted.[4]
The name first appeared in print as the feminine pluralAglianichein 1520, and several etymological theories persist.[2]The name may be a corruption ofvitis hellenica(Latinfor 'Greek vine'), or ofApulianicum,the Latin name for the whole of southern Italy in the time ofancient Rome.[5]However, since there is also no record of the name Aglianico prior to the fifteenth century Spanish conquest of southern Italy, another possible origin of the name is fromllano(Spanishfor 'plain') denoting a grape grown on the plains.[2]
OenologistDenis Dubourdieuhas said "Aglianico is probably the grape with the longest consumer history of all", claiming that Aglianico was used to make theFalernian winefamed during Roman times.[6]Along with the white grapeGreco(used to make the famous Greco di Tufo wine), the red grape of the region was regarded favourably byPliny the Elder.[7]Traces of the vine have been found inMolise,Apulia,and also on the island ofProcidanearNaples,although it is no longer widely cultivated in those places.
Relationship to other grapes
[edit]Despite the similarities in naming, the Campanian wine grapeAglianiconeis not aclonal mutationof Aglianico butDNA analysisdoes suggest a close genetic relationship between the two varieties.[3]
Wine regions
[edit]In Basilicata, Aglianico is the basis of theAglianico del VultureDOCand the region's onlyDOCGwine,Aglianico del Vulture Superiore,concentrated in the northern area of theprovince of Potenza.The most sought-after productions come from the vineyards located in and around the extinct volcanoMount Vulture.
In Campania, the area in and around the village ofTaurasiin the Province of Avellino and the area around the Monte del Taburno in the Province of Benevento produce Aglianico wines bearing the DOCG designation.Taurasiwas designated DOCG in 1993, andAglianico del Taburnoin 2011.[8]More Aglianico can be found in the province of Caserta, as the principal grape ofFalerno del Massico.[9]
Other regions
[edit]The grape has also recently been planted inAustraliaandCalifornia,as it thrives in predominantly sunny climates with a long ripening season. In Australia it is being introduced in theMurray Darlingregion with some success.[10]Producers inMcLaren Vale,Margaret River,MudgeeandRiverlandare also experimenting with plantings.[4]Elsewhere in North America, it has been trialled in Texas and Arizona, and inOntario,Canada.[11]
Viticulture
[edit]The Aglianico vinebudsearly and grows best in dry climates with generous amounts of sunshine. It has good resistance to outbreaks ofoidium,but can be very susceptible toPeronospora.It also has low resistance tobotrytis,but since it is much tootannicto make a worthwhiledessert wine,the presence of thisnoble rotin the vineyard is more of a viticultural hazard than an advantage.[5]
The grape has a tendency to ripen late, withharvestsas late as November in some parts of southern Italy. If the grape is picked too early, or with excessiveyields,the grape can be aggressively tannic. The vine seems to thrive in particularlyvolcanic soils.[12]
Wine styles
[edit]
Wines produced from Aglianico tend to be full-bodiedwith firmtanninsand highacidity,endowing them with good aging potential. The rich flavors of the wine make it appropriate for pairing with rich meats such aslamb.In Campania, the grape is sometimes blended withCabernet SauvignonandMerlotin the production of someIndicazione Geografica Tipica(IGT) wines.[13]
In its youth, Aglianico is very tannic and concentrated, requiring a few years of ageing before it can be approachable. As it ages, the fruit becomes more pronounced and the tannins more balanced with the rest of the wine. The trademark coloring of the wine is a deepgarnet.[5]In well made examples of the wine, it can havechocolateandplumaromas.[12]
Synonyms
[edit]Aglianico is also known under the following synonyms: Aglianco di Puglia, Aglianica, Aglianica De Pontelatone, Aglianichella, Aglianichello, Aglianico Amaro, Aglianico Comune, Aglianico Crni, Aglianico del Vulture, Aglianico di Benevento, Aglianico di Castellaneta, Aglianico di Lapio, Aglianico di Taurasi, Aglianico Femminile, Aglianico Liscio, Aglianico Mascolino, Aglianico Nero, Aglianico Noir, Aglianico Pannarano, Aglianico Trignarulo, Aglianico Tringarulo, Aglianico Verase, Aglianico Zerpoluso, Aglianico Zerpuloso, Aglianicone, Aglianicuccia, Agliano, Agliantica, Agliatica, Agliatico, Agnanico, Agnanico di Castellaneta, Alianiko, Cascavoglia, Cassano, Cerasole, Ellanico, Ellenica, Ellenico, Fiano Rosso, Fresella, Gagliano, Gesualdo, Ghiandara, Ghianna, Ghiannara, Glianica, Gnanica, Gnanico, Granica, Granico, Hellanica, Malvasia, Olivella, Olivella di San Cosmo, Pie di Colombo, Prie Blanc, Ruopolo, Spriema, Tintora, Tintora di Cerinola, Tringarulo, Uva Aglianica, Uva Castellaneta, Uva dei Cani, Uva di Castellaneta, Uva Nera, Zuccherina.[14]
References
[edit]- ^"Aglianico".LexicoUK English Dictionary.Oxford University Press.Archived fromthe originalon 2020-03-22.
- ^abcdD'Agata, Ian (2014). "Aglianico".Native Wine Grapes of Italy.University of California Press. pp. 162–167.ISBN978-0-520-27226-2.
- ^abJ. Robinson, J. Harding and J. VouillamozWine Grapes - A complete guide to 1,368 vine varieties, including their origins and flavourspg 13 Allen Lane 2012ISBN978-1-846-14446-2
- ^abClarke, Oz;Rand, Margaret (2001). "Aglianico".Oz Clarke's Encyclopedia of Grapes.Harcourt Books. p. 34.ISBN0-15-100714-4.
- ^abcRobinson, Jancis(1986).Vines, Grapes & Wines.Mitchell Beazley. p. 213.ISBN1-85732-999-6.
- ^Larner, Monica(7 January 2013)."The Rise of Italian Aglianico".Wine Enthusiast Magazine.Retrieved9 October2019.
- ^H. JohnsonVintage: The Story of Wine,p. 73 Simon and Schuster 1989ISBN0-671-68702-6.
- ^"Campania – DOCG Appellations & Main Rules".Flora's Table.Retrieved9 October2019.
- ^"Falerno del Massico Wine Region".Wine-Searcher.18 August 2019.Retrieved9 October2019.
- ^VinodiversityAglianicoaccessdate = 2007-01-24
- ^"Vieni Estates - Wines - Red - Aglianico".www.vieni.ca.Archived fromthe originalon 2017-08-25.Retrieved2016-01-21.
- ^abJ. Robinson (ed)"The Oxford Companion to Wine"Third Edition pg 7 Oxford University Press 2006ISBN0-19-860990-6
- ^Oz ClarkeEncyclopedia of Grapespg 53 Harcourt Books 2001ISBN0-15-100714-4
- ^Aglianico,accessed on May 30, 2020
See also
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