A terroir full of DOCG and DOC wines to protect

One big DOC and three very tight DOCG to preserve and protect the fruits of unmistakable hills.

Irpinia has always been an area particularly favorable for cultivation of the vine and since the time of the Roman empire were produced excellent wines. Today, in order to protect this part of Italy, so ideal for viticulture, were born some of the denominations to preserve the best products of this area. The entire province of Avellino corresponds with the Irpinia DOC , while have been identified, three areas particularly suited for cultivation of our three most important native grapevines: Greco, Fiano and Aglianico to preserve high quality of the production of three DOCG , respectively: Greco di Tufo , Fiano di Avellino and Taurasi. All three bring in their names the town in the center of the area: Tufo for the areal of Greco grape, Avellino for that of Fiano and Taurasi for that of Aglianico. Each of these areas have own characteristics that make each one particularly suitable for the cultivation of the respective grapevine. Different altitudes, temperatures, exposure, humidity, precipitation, soil.
There is no place where it is possible to produce all three DOCG at the same time, the vineyards must be placed in different areas! Only in Lapio and Montefalcione can produce in one vineyard two of them Fiano di Avellino and Taurasi but not all the three.

3 DOCG of Irpinia: Taurasi, Greco di Tufo, Fiano di Avellino.

The area of the Greco di Tufo is characterized by a marked minerality of the soil with a large presence of tuffaceous rocks from which the name of the town Tufo. Hence the strong flavor and typical minerality of the Greco di Tufo wine. The area of production is very limited and consists of just eight municipalities: Tufo, Altavilla Irpinia, Chianche, Montefusco, Prata di Principato Ultra, Petruro Irpino, Santa Paolina and Torrioni. In wine making grapes must be 85% greco white. Greco di Tufo is a protected denomination with DOC with law dated 03.26.1970 and has become DOCG in 07.18.2003.

Fiano di Avellino is grown in varied soils: higher areas and fertile valleys, in general, however, cool and moist areas able to give wines with good acidity, intensity and balance characterized by a pleasant aroma that refers to the dried fruits: almonds, hazelnuts, walnuts, pistachio nut. The grapes used to produce Fiano di Avellino wines must to be at least 85% fiano coming from these municipalities: Avellino, Aiello del Sabato, Atripalda, Candida, Capriglia Irpinia, Cesinali, Contrada, Forino, Grottolella, Lapio, Manocalzati, Mercogliano, Montefalcione, Monteforte Irpino, Montefredane, Montoro Inferiore, Ospedaletto d' Alpinolo, Parolise, Prata di Principato Ultra, Pratola Serra, Salza Irpinia, San Michele di Serino, San Potito Ultra, Santa Lucia di Serino, Sant'Angelo a scala, Santo Stefano del Sole, Sorbo Serpico and Summonte. Fiano di Avellino is a protected denomination by DOC since 04.27.1978 and has become togheter Greco di Tufo a DOCG wine in 07.18.2003 .

The area of Taurasi is characterized by the presence of the river Calore capable of stabilizing the temperature, humidity and constant ventilation so able to give structured, strong, complex and long-lived wines. The valley can be divided into three parts from the mountainous areas, to the gentle slopes of the hills bordering the province of Benevento. Municipalities where the production is admitted are: Taurasi, Bonito, Castelfranci, Castelvetere sul Calore, Fontanarosa, Lapio, Luogosano, Mirabella Eclano, Montefalcione, Montemarano, Montemiletto, Paternopoli, Pietradefusi, Sant'Angelo all'Esca, San Mango sul Calore, Torre le Nocelle and Venticano. The composition of the vineyards must be 85% Aglianico with a minimum of 1 year aging in wooden barrels. Before being put on the market must wait 36 months after the harvest. If the wine has aged for 18 months in wooden barrels and is bottled after 48 months after harvest may be appointed "Riserva". Taurasi becomes protected DOC together with the Greco di Tufo on 03.26.1970 and is promoted to DOCG in 03.11.1993.