Basilicata’s original name was Lucania meaning “sacred wood”.
Basilicata
Basilicata is best known for red wines from the Aglianico variety, and in particular the Aglianico del Vulture appellation. In fact, it is one of the most mountainous regions in Italy, with around 47 percent mountains and a further 45 percent hills. Only 8 percent of the surface area is classified as being flat.
Grapes
Here the Aglianico grape was planted many years ago and expressed the unique flavors from the high mineral, volcanic soils of the Vulture area. The high altitude luminosity allows for ripeness and complexity.
Aglianico
Aglianico is one of the world’s greatest red grapes that can create anything from fragrant, juicy, light-bodied wines, to deep, rich, and very age-worthy ones. There are many biotypes of Aglianico, but they all tend to have small pyramidal bunches with small, thick-skinned berries. The wines are typically firm and savory with a mineral quality and plenty of underlying fruit to go along with their big structure and depth of flavor. Usually from Campania or Basilicata, Aglianico has been nicknamed the “Barolo of the South.”
Wines
Aglianico del Vulture wines can be full-bodied, richly textured with a firm tannic structure and chocolate-cherry notes. In their youth, the wines can be more rustic and harsher, 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. This wine, as per the Aglianico produced in Campania Region, matches well with fatty, rich food.
