Although the wines of southern Italy are not as famous as those of the hilly regions of northern Italy, such as the wines of Piedmont, Veneto and Tuscany, in recent decades the wine production of southern regions such as Campania, Puglia and Basilicata has distinguished itself for its quality.
Campania, the region of Naples, for example, is a region of very ancient winemaking traditions, which predate the Roman era and presumably began with the arrival of the ancient Greeks.
It was in fact the Greeks who introduced the seeds of the vitis vinifera to Campania: the main indigenous grapes of this region, which in recent times has been able to produce wines of the highest level from both white and red grapes.
Let’s see which are the main wines and vines of this territory.
Aglianico
Aglianico is certainly one of the best wines in all of Italy and is often referred to as the Barolo of the South, due to characteristics it shares with the Piedmontese grape variety.
The name ‘Aglianico’ seems to derive from the Hellenic term, i.e. ‘from Greece’.
It is a red grape vine, suitable for the volcanic soils typical of these territories, which gives life to numerous wine denominations in Campania, such as the famous Taurasi DOCG, from Irpinia, or Aglianico del Taburno, but it is also cultivated in the Vulture area, in Basilicata.
Aglianico produces wines that are particularly tannic, fruity, spicy and full-bodied, particularly suited to ageing and to accompanying tasty mixed grills, baked pasta with meat sauce and game.
Falanghina
Undoubtedly one of the best wines from Campania, especially to accompany fish dishes, is Falanghina: a white grape variety, which finds its highest expression in the Benevento area, where it makes Falanghina del Sannio DOC, but is also used for other wines from Campania. Falanghina produces wines with floral and herbal aromas, which are very versatile in terms of food pairings and appreciated in everyday consumption, but also wines with great character.
Fiano
The origin of the Fiano vine is Greek, when the ancient settlers of this people founded numerous colonies in our peninsula and in particular in Sicily and Campania around the seventh century BC.
Fiano is undoubtedly one of the best wines from Campania, a white wine made from the vine of the same name, which finds its greatest expression in Irpinia, where it gives rise to Fiano di Avellino DOCG. It is also used in many other denominations such as Sannio DOC, Cilento DOC and Salento DOC.
Fiano gives life to white wines with excellent acidity and structure, ideal for everyday consumption, but also to some of the most elegant, complex wines with great ageing potential, rightfully among the best Italian white wines.
Greco
Among the white wines of Campania is Greco, a wine made from the grape variety of the same name, which finds its greatest expression in Irpinia, where it gives rise to Greco di Tufo DOCG, and in other denominations.
Greco produces white wines with great body, acidity and flavour, and is used to make wines suitable for everyday consumption, but also wines that represent qualitative peaks of great interest. Greco di Tufo goes well with all fish, seafood and shellfish dishes. It is also ideal with risotto and soft, unseasoned cheeses.
