LATITUDE
LONGITUDE
APPELATIONS
Nestled in the heart of the Basilicata region in southern Italy, Aglianico del Vulture Superiore DOCG is a testament to nature's generosity and the artistry of winemaking. The area draws its magic from the slopes of the extinct Mount Vulture volcano, creating a topographical masterpiece where vines thrive.
Central to this wine narrative is the Aglianico grape, an ancient varietal that found its perfect home on these volcanic terrains. The mineral-rich soils, combined with the region's Mediterranean climate, bestow upon Aglianico a unique profile; a blend of power, elegance, and longevity. The grape benefits from warm days, ensuring ripeness, and cool nights, imbuing the berries with a vibrant acidity.
From these illustrious vines, two primary wines emerge: the Superiore and the Riserva. The Superiore captivates with its robust structure and depth, delivering flavors of dark fruits, spice, and often a characteristic mineral undertone derived from the volcanic soils. For those with patience, the Riserva is a reward. Given extended aging, it evolves into a complex wine, where flavors meld and mature, leading to a harmonious symphony of aromas and tastes. Each sip of both these wines is not just a taste of the grape, but a deep dive into the rich tapestry of the Aglianico del Vulture Superiore DOCG environment.
Vineyard Hectares
WINERIES
GROWING DEGREE DAYS
In the heart of southern Italy, the Aglianico del Vulture Superiore DOCG paints a picturesque tapestry of nature and viticulture. The region is dominated by the presence of Mount Vulture, an extinct volcano that silently narrates tales of ancient eruptions and geological formations. This volcanic legacy profoundly influences the landscape, endowing it with mineral-rich soils that have become a vinicultural treasure.
Sweeping vineyards stretch across the rolling foothills of the mountain, embracing its contours and gradients. The varying altitudes of these vineyards, ranging from moderate heights to more lofty terrains, create microclimates that bestow each vine plot with unique characteristics. These altitude-induced diurnal temperature shifts ensure that the Aglianico grape matures to perfection, balancing ripeness with refreshing acidity.
Flanking these vineyards are dense woods and scrublands, which play a crucial role in maintaining the area's biodiversity. Streams fed by mountain springs meander through the landscape, nourishing the soil and providing a serene backdrop to the grapevines.
In essence, the landscape of Aglianico del Vulture Superiore DOCG is a harmonious blend of nature's wild beauty and meticulous human cultivation. It is this communion between the land and the winemaker that gives birth to wines of unparalleled character, each bottle echoing the whispers of the volcano and the songs of the soil.
In the winemaking world, the climate is more than just weather patterns; it's a vital artist, painting the grapes with hues of flavor and aroma. Aglianico del Vulture Superiore DOCG, with its distinct climatic profile, serves as a perfect canvas for this natural artist.
Resting in the embrace of southern Italy, the region enjoys a Mediterranean climate, characterized by its warm summers and mild winters. But it's the nuances in this broader classification that truly define the DOCG's climatic dance.
The presence of Mount Vulture plays a pivotal role in shaping the weather. As an extinct volcano, its altitude and the varied terrains surrounding it create a mosaic of microclimates across the vineyards. While the summer days bask in generous warmth, ensuring the Aglianico grapes reach optimal ripeness, the nights often bring a cooling respite. This diurnal temperature variation is crucial, as it ensures that the grapes retain their acidity, providing the wines with their signature balance and structure.
Winters in the region are relatively gentle, but the mountain's shadow can sometimes usher in colder drafts, occasionally marked by frost. Rainfall is moderately distributed throughout the year, with wetter winters and drier summers, ensuring the vines get the hydration they need without the threat of excessive moisture-related diseases.
In essence, the climate of Aglianico del Vulture Superiore DOCG is a harmonious symphony of sun and shadow, warmth and chill. It's a delicate balance that, season after season, molds the Aglianico grape into a beacon of the region's natural brilliance.
The soils of Aglianico del Vulture Superiore DOCG are not just the foundation for the vines but also the storytellers of the region's geological past. They encapsulate millennia of transformations, each layer narrating a chapter of the land's history.
Regarded as one of Italy's noble grape varieties, Aglianico boasts deep roots in the ancient vinicultural traditions of the Basilicata region. With its dark blue-black hue, the grape clusters of Aglianico are medium-sized with thick-skinned berries. These skins are not just responsible for the grape's intense color, but also its robust tannic structure. The resilient skin ensures the grape's suitability to the region's climatic variations, allowing it to mature gracefully, even in the face of the region's sometimes unpredictable weather patterns.
Diving into the aromatic and flavor profile of the Aglianico grape, one is instantly captivated by its complexity. On the nose, there are pronounced notes of dark fruits like blackberries and plums, often accompanied by hints of leather, tobacco, and even a touch of smoky minerality - a nod to the volcanic terrains of Vulture. On the palate, its character truly shines; layers of flavors unravel, presenting black cherry, dark chocolate, and a delightful trace of spice. This depth is balanced beautifully by a refreshing acidity, making Aglianico wines not just flavorful but also incredibly versatile. Its tannins, while pronounced, are ripe and well-integrated, offering a long and persistent finish, making each sip a memorable experience.
At the heart of Basilicata's winemaking prowess lie the Superiore and Riserva wines from the Aglianico del Vulture Superiore DOCG. These wines, crafted exclusively from the Aglianico grape, represent the zenith of Italian viticulture, where the meticulous combination of aging and terroir come together to celebrate the grape's true potential. Both variations, while springing from the same grape, offer distinct experiences, marked by their aging processes and the resulting aromatic and flavor complexities.
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