TABLE OF CONTENTS
Best Campanian Wine Variety Types
Falanghina is an old Italian white grape variety that is mostly associated and cultivated in Campania. For a very long time, it was not known that the name was used for two distinct sub-varieties: Falanghina Beneventana and the better known Falanghina Flegrea.
Both grapes are used in several regional appellations, and the distinction has not yet been officially recognized. The grapes share similar characteristics and mostly produce straw-colored wines that have fruity and floral notes. They often have a mineral character and sometimes hints of tropical fruit.
Aglianico is a native Italian grape variety. Although it is grown outside Italy, Aglianico thrives in southern Italian regions, predominantly on the volcanic soils of Campania and Basilicata. Aglianico-based wines may have slightly different expressions, but they are typically age-worthy, full-bodied, and high in acidity.
While the flavors of young varieties are usually reminiscent of black fruits, white pepper, leather, and cured meat, aged styles are softer in tannins with a slightly different flavor profile and aromas of dried fruit. Aglianico is a robust wine that pairs well with beef stews, braised lamb, ragù, game, sausages, and aged cheese varieties.
VARIATIONS OF Aglianico
Mostly cultivated in Campania, Fiano is an old Italian variety that has seen a significant revival since the 1980s. This low-yielding, early-ripening grape is praised for its ability to produce crisp and aromatic wines with a lot of character and herbaceous and fruity notes.
These wines are typically medium-bodied and intensely flavored. Young Fiano wines often display aromatic honey notes, and as they age, they tend to develop smoky and spicy notes dominated by hazelnut. The aromas are perfectly balanced with bright acidity.
VARIATIONS OF Fiano
Biancolella is a native Italian white grape that is mostly cultivated in Campania. It is found in Caserta and Naples, but the best expressions come from Ischia. The grape is used in varietals and blends, and it can produce straw-colored, aromatic white wines.
Biancolella wines have an interesting aroma reminiscent of Mediterranean herbs, sometimes with hints of citrus, yellow fruit, and spices. Depending on the terroir, these wines can have mineral character and herbal nuances, while ripe examples may display subtle hints of tropical fruits and almonds.
Arilla is a native Italian grape that is mainly cultivated in southern Italy. It is a rare but very productive white grape, mostly found on Ischia, where it is usually used in Ischia Bianco blends. The grape most likely originated in Sicily.
Because Arilla is highly productive, it can often produce bland wines, but with a careful approach, it can result in fresh wines with medium acidity. The grape is still rare, but there have been efforts to improve vinification and promote it as a resistant local grape.
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