Discovering the wines of Irpinia
The Irpinia, located in the heart of Campania, is a land rich in history and winemaking traditions dating back to Roman times. Thanks to a unique territory, characterized by hills and mountains, and the commitment of local winemakers, the Irpinia has established itself as one of the most prestigious wine regions in Italy, producing high quality wines, both white and red.
The terroir of Irpinia: an ideal environment for viticulture
The success of Irpinia's wines is closely linked to the peculiarities of its terroir. The vineyards extend over calcareous-clay soils, which give finesse and elegance to the wines, enriched by superficial volcanic deposits that enhance their distinctive character. The influence of the Tyrrhenian Sea to the west and the mountains to the east creates air currents that promote optimal aeration of the vineyards, which is essential for the ripening of the grapes. In addition, the altitude and significant temperature ranges help maintain low humidity, ensuring the health of the grapes.
The wine history of the Irpinia: between antiquity and revival
The Irpinia boasts a wine-making tradition dating back thousands of years. Its wines were appreciated as early as the Romans during the Empire. However, it is only in relatively recent times that the region has regained its prominent place in the Italian wine scene.
In the 1960s, winemaking families, such as the Mastroberardino, began promoting individual territorial mentions, enhancing areas such as Castelfranci, Montemarano and Piano dell'Angelo. These producers have chosen to safeguard native grape varieties, rejecting the introduction of international varieties and focusing on enhancing local distinctiveness.
The prestigious appellations of the Irpinia
The Irpinia is home to three main appellations that testify to the quality and diversity of its wines:
Taurasi DOCG
The Taurasi is one of the most renowned Red wines of Italy, produced mainly from Aglianico grapes. These wines are known for their tannic structure and robustness, reaching full expression after years of aging. The production area is divided into four subzones: the northern, western, southeastern slopes and the central valley, each with unique characteristics that are reflected in the wine.
Greco di Tufo DOCG
The Greco di Tufo is a white wine produced in the western area of the Irpinia, bordering the Benevento territory. Made from the Greco grape, it is distinguished by its structure and aromatic complexity. There are two main styles of Greco di Tufo: one characterized by fruity intensity and full body, the other with subtle oxidative notes and a more robust character. Both styles offer aromatic wines with considerable aging potential.
Fiano di Avellino DOCG
The Fiano di Avellino is another great white wine from the Irpinia, produced in the hills around Avellino. This wine is known for its structure, minerality and aromatic complexity, with notes ranging from ripe fruit to almond. Thanks to rediscovery work that began in the 1970s, Fiano di Avellino is now considered one of Italy's finest whites.
Native grape varieties: the beating heart of Irpinia
In addition to the main appellations, Irpinia boasts a variety of indigenous grape varieties that contribute to the richness of its wine heritage:
Aglianico
The Aglianico is a red grape variety of very ancient origin, probably introduced from Greece around the 7th-6th century BC. It prefers clay-limestone soils and produces wines of great structure and longevity. The cluster is medium-sized, with small, juicy, purplish-blue berries.
Falanghina
The Falanghina is a white grape variety that expresses itself elegantly in the Avellino area. In these areas grows the Falanghina Flegrea, known for its flavor profile characterized by green and fruity notes. It lends itself to both fresh and more structured barrel-aged versions.
Piedirosso
Piedirosso is a native red grape variety, presentsince antiquity at the foot of Vesuvius. It produces fruity wines with vegetal sensations, comparable in some respects to Gamay. In Irpinia it is also known as Per'e Palummo and is the second most important red grape variety in the region.
Coda di Volpe
Coda di Volpe Bianco is a grape variety often used in blends, but increasingly the protagonist of monovarietal wines. The name comes from the shape of the cluster, which resembles a foxtail. It has the ability to develop a distinctive character depending on the climatic conditions in which it grows, offering fresh and pleasant wines with good acidity.
Conclusions
The Irpinia represents one of the most fascinating and authentic wine areas in Italy, thanks to its unique combination of terroir, tradition and innovation. Local winemakers have been able to preserve and enhance the distinctive characteristics of indigenous grape varieties, producing high quality wines that win fans and experts around the world. With a history dating back thousands of years and a promising future, Irpinian wines will continue to be ambassadors of Italian wine-making excellence and tradition.
