Aglianico del Vulture
| Wine region | |
 Bottles of Aglianico del Vulture | |
| Type | DOC |
|---|---|
| Year established | 1971 |
| Country | Italy |
| Part of | Basilicata |
| Size of planted vineyards | 375 hectares (930 acres)[1] |
| Varietals produced | Aglianico |
| Wine produced | 22,200hl[1] |
| Comments | Aglianico del Vulture Superiore is a separate DOCG[2] |
Aglianico del VultureandAglianico del Vulture SuperioreareItalianred wines based on theAglianicogrape and produced in theVulture areaofBasilicata.Located onvolcanic soilsderived from nearbyMount Vulture,it was awardedDenominazione di Origine Controllata(DOC) status in 1971. TheSuperiorewas elevated to a separateDenominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita(DOCG) status in 2011, the only DOCG wine in Basilicata.[3]
Although not as famous as other Italian wines, Aglianico del Vulture is considered one of the best red wines of Italy.[4][5][6]
History[edit]
Like all the Aglianico grape varieties, Aglianico del Vulture has ancient origins, and it is believed to have been introduced by the Greeks in southern Italy in the 7th or 6th century BC. Remains of a wine press of the Roman age have been found in the area ofRionero in Vulture,as well as a bronze coin depicting the deity ofDionysus.Some of the literary references about the history of Aglianico del Vulture have been left byHorace,the Roman poet born inVenosawho celebrated the beauty of his native land and the quality of the wine.
At least one source says that after defeating the Romans in 212 BC,Hannibalsent his soldiers toLucaniato heal themselves with the wines of theVulture.[7]
Under the Swabian empire,Frederick IIpromoted the cultivation of the vineyard. In 1280Charles of Anjouordered thegiustiziereofBasilicatathe supply of 400 salme (equal to 185 liters) of "vino rubeo Melfie" (red wine ofMelfi) when planning a summer stay atCastel Lagopesolewith the Angevin court.[8]The wines of the Vulture, appreciated by the Swabian and Angevin sovereigns, were also requested by the Florentine merchants of the time.
Subsequently, there was a notable increase in viticulture, also linked to the new uses of wine in the celebration of mass and in medicine. In the 15th century, vineyards covered the slopes of Mount Vulture between Melfi, Rapolla, and Barile. Wine cellars were often excavated in caves there, and today many prominent wineries retain cellars in the old caves.
In 1906, Aglianico del Vulture was presented at theMilan International.Pierre Vialaand Victor Vermorel cited the wine in theAmpélographie. Traité général de viticulture.
In 2012,Poste Italianehas dedicated a stamp to it, along with other wines of fifteen regions of Italy.[9]
Viticulture[edit]
Most of the vineyards are located on higher altitudes in the region, typically between 450 and 600 meters. The Aglianico grape ripens late and is often one of the last non-dessert winegrapes to beharvestedinItalybeing picked from late October to early November. Whenyieldsare kept low, the grape will produce intensely flavored wines.[3]
Winemaking[edit]
In recent years, there has been movement towards the use of new Frenchoakbarrels for aging the wine instead of largechestnutcasks.[3]TheSuperiorewine must have 13.5% minimum alcohol level and have been aged for at least three years, with wines labeledriservabeing aged for at least five years, two of which must be in wood.[2][10]
Wines[edit]
Aglianico del Vulture wines have the potential to befull-bodied,richly textured with a firmtannicstructure andchocolate-cherrynotes. In their youth, the wines can be more rustic and harsh, but they can develop soft tannins and more silky texture as they age, having the potential to improve in the bottle for 6 to 20 years.[10]
Wine regions[edit]
Aglianico del Vulture can be produced only in the followingcommunes:Rionero in Vulture,Barile,Rapolla,Ripacandida,Ginestra,Maschito,Forenza,Acerenza,Melfi,Atella,Venosa,Lavello,Palazzo San Gervasio,Banzi,Genzano di Lucania.
See also[edit]
References[edit]
- ^ab"Aglianico del Vulture DOC".Italian Wine Central.Retrieved2 October2019.
- ^ab"Aglianico del Vulture Superiore DOCG".Italian Wine Central.Retrieved2 October2019.
- ^abcJ. Robinson (ed)"The Oxford Companion to Wine"Third Edition pg 7 Oxford University Press 2006ISBN0-19-860990-6
- ^Gambero Rosso,Il libro del vino. Manuale teorico & pratico,2004, G.R.H. S.p.A., pag. 167ISBN88-87180-79-2
- ^"Italy's Great Unknown: Aglianico del Vulture".winereviewonline. 1 May 2007. Archived fromthe originalon 6 March 2016.Retrieved4 March2016.
- ^"Aglianico del Vulture: The Basilicata Region Produces One of the Great Undiscovered Wines of Italy".intowine. 22 May 2008.Retrieved4 March2016.
- ^Francesco Sisinni,Ditirambo lucano: elogio oraziano del Vulture, del simposio, del vino e della Lucania,De Luca, 2008, p.51
- ^Giuseppe Coria,Il libro d'oro dei vini d'Italia,1981, Mursia, p. 102
- ^"Francobollo Aglianico del Vulture Superiore DOCG".aglianicodelvulture.net.
- ^abT. Stevenson"The Sotheby's Wine Encyclopedia"pg 295 Dorling Kindersley 2005ISBN0-7566-1324-8
External links[edit]
- Aglianico del Vulture(in Italian and English)