Aglianico - An Excellent Campanian Red For Every Budget
It’s fascinating to try various examples of wines made from the same grape, especially when we’re talking about red varieties. Generally the lesser expensive wines made from these grapes are more simple, and lack the complexities of the pricier versions. This stands to reason as the higher-priced wines reflect several factors including the fact that the vineyards from which the grapes are sourced are older, resulting in smaller yields and limited production. There’s usually less complexity with the lighter wines, and they typically don’t have the structure to age as well as the more expensive examples.
You see this with numerous grapes, especially with Pinot Noir and Cabernet Sauvignon. Sometimes producers make very impressive offerings of lighter wines from these grapes, but often these lesser expensive wines, while offering pleasure, are a bit simple. You want greater complexity and aging potential? Fine, spend the money on the more famous versions.
So it’s a great pleasure to note that wines made from the Aglianico (pronounced ah-yli-an-ico) grape in Campania are quite impressive across the board. The most famous wine made from Aglianico is Taurasi, from a zone in the province of Avellino - this area is also known today as Irpinia, its ancient name. The finest examples of Taurasi can easily age for 25-30 years, and there are examples that are 50 years and older that are still drinking well.
There are other examples of long-lived wines made from Aglianico, both from Campania (Aglianico del Taburno) and the neighboring region of Basilicata in southern Italy (Aglianico del Vulture). These wines display the textbook black cherry and bitter chocolate flavors that Aglianico is known for. While these wines are not as famous as Taurasi, which typically is priced on retail shelves for anywhere from $50-$80 per bottle (sometimes more), examples of Aglianico del Taburno and Aglianico del Vulture will cost you between $35-$65 per bottle.
Here are just a few wines made from Aglianico that are excellent values and will be ideal choices when you want a formidable red wines to accompany most red meats or game, but don’t want to spend a fortune.
Campania - province of Caserta:
