Aglianico

• Color: Red 
• Grape Parentage: unconfirmed
• Place of Origin: Campania or Basilicata (DNA profiling has not revealed a relationship with any current Greek varieties, but it does support a close relationship with other Southern Italian grapes.)
• Origin of Grape Name: “Aglianico” may derive from the Italian Ellenico, or “Hellenic,” a reference to the vine’s supposed Greek origin, or from the Greek eilanikos, which refers to a vine growing up trees. It may also derive from the Spanish llano, meaning “plain”. The first written reference to the grape (as “Aglianiche”) dates to 1520.
• Major Countries of Production:
  • Italy: 10,530 ha (2010, Il Corriere Vinicolo)
• Synonyms: Uva Aglianica, Gnanico, Glianica, Ellenico, Fiano Rosso (Italy)
• Viticultural Characteristics: Thick-Skinned, Early-Budding, Late-Ripening, Resistance to Powdery Mildew, Susceptible to Downy Mildew and Botrytis/Grey Rot
• Preferred Soil Type: volcanic soils
• Common Blending Partners: Piedirosso, Sciascinoso, Sangiovese

Typical Descriptors and Structure for Taurasi

• Visual: Dark Ruby, Moderate Plus Concentration
• Aromas/Flavors:
  • Fruit: Ripe/Roasted Black Fruit (Black Cherry, Blackberry, Black Plum), Fig, Dried Cherry
  • Possible Volatile Acidity
  • Floral: Purple Flowers, Violets
  • Oak: Large Neutral Casks (modern producers may incorporate new French Oak)

Structure: Dry, Full Body, High Tannin, Elevated Acidity, Elevated Alcohol