Aglianico del Vulture
| Aglianico del Vulture | |
|---|---|
| Italian wine | |
| File:Aglianico del vulture Vigne Mastrodomenico.jpg
Bottles of Aglianico del Vulture
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| Wine type | DOCG |
| Decree of institution | 10 February 1971 |
| Gazzetta Ufficiale | 22 May 1971, nr. 129 |
| Yield | 100 quintals/ha |
| Maximum grape yield | 70,0% |
| Alcohol by volume of grape (natural) | 11.5% |
| Alcohol by volume of wine (minimum) | 11.5% |
| Net dry extract (minimum) | 22.0‰ |
| Origin | Province of Potenza |
| Ingredient grapes | Aglianico 100% |
Aglianico del Vulture is an Italian red wine based on the Aglianico grape produced in the Vulture area of Basilicata. It was awarded Denominazione di Origine Controllata (DOC) status in 1971 and the Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita (DOCG) status in 2011. Located on volcanic soils derived from nearby Mount Vulture, Aglianico del Vulture is the only DOCG in Basilicata.[1]
Although not as famous as other Italian wines, Aglianico del Vulture is considered one of the best red wines of Italy.[2][3][4]
History
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 of Rionero in Vulture and a bronze coin depicting the deity of Dionysus. Some of the literary references about the history of Aglianico del Vulture have been left by Horace, the Roman poet born in Venosa who celebrated the beauty of his native land and the quality of the wine.
After defeating the Romans in 212 BC, it is said that Hannibal sent his soldiers to Lucania to heal themselves with the wines of the Vulture.[5]
Under the Swabian empire, Frederick II promoted the cultivation of the vineyard. In 1280 Charles of Anjou ordered the giustiziere of Basilicata the supply of 400 salme (equal to 185 liters) of "vino rubeo Melfie" (red wine of Melfi) when planning a summer stay at Castel Lagopesole with the Angevin court.[6] 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 the mass and the medicine. In the 15th century the vineyards completely occupied the slopes of Mount Vulture between Melfi, Rapolla and Barile. The cellars were often carved into the caves and even today the cellars of many prominent wineries are located in the old caves.
In 1906, Aglianico del Vulture was presented at the Milan International. Pierre Viala and Victor Vermorel cited the wine in the Ampélographie. Traité général de viticulture.
In 2012, Poste Italiane has dedicated a stamp to it, along with other wines of fifteen regions of Italy.[7]
Viticulture
Most of the vineyards are located on higher altitudes in the region, typically between 450 to 600 meters. The Aglianico grape ripens late and is often one of the last non-dessert wine grapes to be harvested in Italy being picked from late October to early November. When yields are kept low, the grape will produce intensely flavored wines.[1]
Winemaking
In recent years there has been movement towards the use of new French oak barrels for aging the wine instead of large chestnut casks.[1] If the wine is labeled vecchio (meaning "old") it will have been aged for least three years with wines labeled riserva being aged for at least five years, two of which must be in wood.[8]
Wines
Aglianico del Vulture wines have the potential to be full bodied, richly textured with a firm tannic structure and chocolate-cherry notes. 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.[8]
Wine regions
Aglianico del Vulture DOCG can be produced only in the following communes: Rionero in Vulture, Barile, Rapolla, Ripacandida, Ginestra, Maschito, Forenza, Acerenza, Melfi, Atella, Venosa, Lavello, Palazzo San Gervasio, Banzi, Genzano di Lucania.
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 J. Robinson (ed) "The Oxford Companion to Wine" Third Edition pg 7 Oxford University Press 2006 ISBN 0-19-860990-6
- ↑ Gambero Rosso, Il libro del vino. Manuale teorico & pratico, 2004, G.R.H. S.p.A., pag. 167 ISBN 88-87180-79-2
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ 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
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 T. Stevenson "The Sotheby's Wine Encyclopedia" pg 295 Dorling Kindersley 2005 ISBN 0-7566-1324-8
External links
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Aglianico del Vulture. |
- Aglianico del Vulture (Italian) (English)
