Aglianico

What is Aglianico

Aglianico is a black grape native to Southern Italy. This variety is most famous for the wines it produces in the regions of Campania and Basilicata, including the much-lauded Taurasi and Aglianico del Vulture. Alongside Nebbiolo and Sangiovese, Aglianico is considered one of Italy’s most important varieties, and it is often made into single-varietal wines.

In the vineyard, the grapes are nearly black in color and thick-skinned, producing deeply pigmented and tannic wines.

This early-budding grape thrives in dry climates with a lot of sunshine. The grape tends to ripen slowly, and harvests can take place as late as November in some areas. Early picking of these grapes will result in aggressive wines that lack balance. The volcanic soils of Basilicata and Campania seem particularly suitable for this variety. In Campania, it can also be blended with Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot for a complex wine.

The wines made from Aglianico are full-bodied and tannic, balanced with good acidity. As a result, they have the potential to age for a very long time. Dark red fruits and an undercurrent of minerality, as well as earthier notes, like mushroom, leather and forest floor, make this wine a natural partner for rich red meats.

In addition to Italy, Aglianico can be found in Australia and California, two warm climates that offer similar growing environments. Recently, producers in Texas and Arizona began to experiment with the grape.