Campania

Almost certainly Greek in origin as are many varieties in Southern Italy and its etymology is said to be "hellenic" (or from Greece). This grape is considered to be one of the 3 noble red varieties in Italy (Nebbiolo and Sangiovese being the others) giving wines of structure, power and complexity with a unique black pepper and black fruit note. Its distinct acidity in Campania distuishes it from the softer Basilicata version and enables it to age. It has medium thick skin enabling it to withstand botrytis and hence ripen well into November, giving it great potential to make the most of night and day temperature differences and hence complexity of perfume and structure. Its high acid and tannin content make it suitable for ageing.

Taurasi, Aglianico, Aglianico del Taburno

Mostly found north of Naples in the Aversa area where traditional training methods can still be found – vines climbing trees up to the height of 20m where a single plant can produce 200 kgs of fruit. Not surprisingly therefore, the Latin origin of this word Aper means tart or harsh and this white grape certainly has at best a very citrus lemon tartness. Used for sparking

Aversa

AKA Bianca Tenera because of its thin skin, is a minor variety grown mainly on the coastal areas of Campania, north and south of Napoli, plus the islands. Apparently the same as the Corsican Petite Blanche.

Campi Flegrei, Capri, Costa d'Amalfi, Ischia, Penisola Sorrentina

Said to be the Alopecis, identified by Pliny 2000 years ago. Present name due to the shape of the bunch whose curve resembles the tail of a fox. Of modest acidity and ripe, perfumed aromas. Found all over Campania but now concentrated around Vesuvious where it has a major role in the Lacryma Cristi White blend. Also used to soften white blends.

Irpinia, Vesuvio

Of uncertain origin. Some say Greek, some link it to the famed Roman Falernian. Falanga means wooden stake. Falanghina, small wooden stake. Late ripener which requires well exposed, sunny slopes and not to excessive production to shine. When it does shine it is a grape of real interest deserving national and international attention with excellent aromatics, structure and phenolic content, underpinned by a crystalline acidity. It is native to Campania and is most produced in the Benevento area.

Guardia Sanframondi, Guardiolo, Vesuvio, Taburno, Sannio

Originally from Campania, grape can now be found in many Southern Italian regions such as Sicily and Puglia, usually at much lower prices because of higher yields that these regions offer. Taking its name from a variety the Latins called Vitis Apiano because of its sweetness that attracts bees (api in Italian), it was already a favourite of medieval Southern Italian courts such as Federick II and Charles of Anjou. It is considered as the white quality grape in Southern Italy, producing wines of structure and alcohol with an attractive hazelnut and hay character. Its tendency to produce high levels of natural sugar has also given producers the ability to make decent spumante.

Fiano d'Avellino, Fiano Sannio

Although the name suggests in Italian, "the foreign one", this white grape is now native to Ischia (the small island off Napoli), probably introduced from Sardegna some time in the past. Most of this fruity white grape is consumed on the Island's many tourists in the summer.

Ischia

This is grape is almost certainly of Greek origin (hence the name!) and is one of the quality grapes of Southern Italy being found in almost all the regions. It almost certainly the grape mentioned by Pliny as Aminea Gemella in his Naturalis Historia. Aminea because it belongs to a family of vines cultivated in the Aminea zone of "Falernus Ager" in Northern Campania. Gemella, because it sprouts double or twin bunches about 50% of the time. It excels on tufaceous, volcanic soils, where it is said to be the reddest of white wines due to its must taking on a pinkish hue.

Greco di Tufo, Greco Sannio, Greco Guardiolo

Literally means red feet. Aka Palombina meaning dove's foot because of its red coloured, triple-branched stem. It may be identical to the Columbina refered to by pliny.

Vesuvio, Taburno

Aka Oliveila. Quality red grape that is fairly widespread and used for blending. Tends to live in the shadows of Aglianico et al.

Campi flegrei, Costa d'Amalfi, Penisola Sorrentina, Vesuvio, Sannio

Another style of Aglianico from grapes grown at higher altitudes in the hills around Benevento. Winters are harsh and harvests are late giving rise to the complexities that this grape can offer.

Aglianico

Avellino is a town in Campania located at the centre of one of the most important, in terms of quality, wine producing areas in Southern Italy where Fiano, Greco and Aglianico are produced. Although only 50 km East of Naples, its location is very different, nestled up in the hills of the southern Appennines where nights are very cool and harvests can be much later.

Fiano

About 10 kms from Avellino is the town of Tufo, named after the igneous rock (of Volcanic origin and not limestone!). The grape is certainly of Greek origin (hence the name!) and is found in many ancient texts including Roman. It is one of the top quality white wines of Southern Italy. It gives a wine of more structure and texture (even some tannin) than its Campanian siblings.

Greco

The name of this wine is taken from the name of the town nestled in on the side of a wide east to west valley from near Benevento. This is Falanghina country and production is on a grander scale than other more remote areas and thus prices are much more accessable than other Aglianicos and Falaghinas. The Bianco and Rosso are blends of the above grapes. While there are also varietal Aglianicos and Falaghinas.

Aglianico, Sangiovese, Falanghina, Malvasia bianca di Candia

This is the historical name and the catch all area which includes the major Campanian DOCGs of Tufo, Avellino and Taurasi, and stretches to the borders of Basilicata and Puglia. Producers have a little more flexibilty than the provisions of the DOCGs but nevertheless producing varietal wines such as: Greco, Fiano, Aglianico (Campo Taurasini), Falaghina, Coda di Volpe, Piedirosso, Sciasinoso.

Greco, Fiano, Aglianico, Falaghina, Coda di Volpe, Piedirosso, Sciasinoso.

From Benevento stretching to the borders of Puglia and Molise, this is named after the proud pre-Roman inhabitants called the Samnites. It produces the Campanian classics such as: Greco, Fiano, Aglianico, Barbera, Falaghina, Coda di Volpe, Piedirosso, Sciasinoso.

Greco, Fiano, Aglianico, Barbera, Falaghina, Coda di Volpe, Piedirosso, Sciasinoso.

Around Benevento this histroic winegrowing area takes its name from Mount Taburno and produces the Campanian classics such as: Greco, Aglianico, Falaghina, Coda di Volpe, Piedirosso. Elevated altitudes, small yields and hand harvesting tends towards smaller volumes of hight quality fruit.

Greco, Aglianico, Falaghina, Coda di Volpe, Piedirosso.

Taurasi is the name of the town east of Avellino, which gives its name to one of the more important red wines of Southern Italy that, in many ways has set the be benchmark for Aglianico. Its long maturing process (min 36 months but sometimes much more) and pronounced acidity make the wine apt for ageing.

Aglianico

This iconic Volcano gives its name to the area that surrounds Naples (and the Volcano itself). It has one of the oldest winemaking traditions in Europe which predates both Romans and Greeks. White and Red versions of both Vesuvio and Lacryma Christi del Vesuvio which is a subzone of the area, are produced form the above grapes and are usually to be consumed fairly young.

Greco, Aglianico, Falaghina, Coda di Volpe, Piedirosso, Verdeca

Asprinia

Falanghina, Piedirosso

Falanghina, Piedirosso

Barbera, Sangiovese, Trebbiano Toscano, Malvasia Bianca

Aglianico, Piedirosso, Primitivo, Barbera, Fiano, Trebbiamo Toscano, Malvasia Bianca

Piedirosso, Sciascinoso, Aglianico, Falanghina, Biancolella

Falanghina, Aglianico, Barbera, Primitivo

Falanghina, Aglianico

Falanghina, Malvasia Bianca di Candida, Aglianico, Sangiovese

Greco, Fiano, Aglianico

Forastera, Biancolella, Piedirosso, Guarnaccia

Falanghina, Biancolella, Greco Bianco Piedirosso, Sciascinoso, Aglianico

Aglianico, Barbera, Sciantoso, Piedirosso, Sangiovese, Fiano, Falanghina, Greco, Coda di Volpe, Moscato, Trebbiano Toscano

Aglianico, Piedirosso, Falanghina, Greco

Falanghina, Malvasia Bianca di Candida, Aglianico, Sangiovese(a multi DOC*)

Aglianico, Sangiovese, Piedirosso, Coda di Volpe, Fiano, Greco, Falaghina, Trebbiano Toscano

Coda di Volpe (Crapettone), Verdeca, Falaghina, Greco, Piedirosso (Palombina), Sciascinoso (Oliveila), Aglianico