Taurasi

Taurasi is a DOCG for wines made in Avellino (Campania) mainly from the Aglianico grape. Avellino has a white DOCG as well - Fiano d'Avellino made from the eponymous grape, but that belongs to another tidbit. The vineyards are situated on volcanic soils which suits Aglianico and are between 400 to 500m above sea level. Taurasi is aged for a minimum of 3 years (of which 1 year must be in wood) whilst the riserva has a minimum aging requirement of 4 years. As for this wine, it was a purple ruby with a currant fruity woody nose with small amounts of tannins. The palate was smooth with fruit, tannins and acid, with the tannins and acid persisiting to the finish. The wine won the approval of the critics too, with scores of WS90 and RP88.

Aglianico is responsible for another DOCG wine too, Aglianico del Vulture in nearby Basilicata, and this wine is pure Aglianico whereas Taurasi can contain up to 15% Barbera, Piedirosso and Sangiovese. The exploration of Aglianico del Vulture needs another tidbit as well as me getting to taste it.