Author: Dirk Chan
In southern Italy, the wines of Basilicata and Campania may be lesser known than those of, say, Piedmont, Tuscany, and Sicily, they’re no less notable and worthwhile. The common theme between Basilicata and Campania is the Volcanic soils and high-altitude vineyards with vast day and night temperature range that ensure healthy and fragrant grapes that reflect the terroir that they are grown in.
Red wines comprise 80% of Basilicata’s production, with the Aglianico del Vulture grape being the region’s undisputed star but there is also interesting rosé and sparkling wines as well.
North of Basilicata is Campania (meaning “countryside”), one of the most mountainous regions in Italy. Vineyards are located around Mount Vulture on volcanic soils – Vesuvius is the only active volcano in southern Italy. While more famous as the birthplace of pizza and renowned for its high-quality dried pasta, the region is famous for its Aglianico as well, especially the Taurasi wines, a DOCG and DOC. These wines are characterized by flavorful bodies and astonishing aromas, a touch of graphite and minerality from the soils and pairs well with a wide variety of foods and cheeses from the region.
I high encourage you to try the wines from these two under-rated and also under-priced regions, they are full of character and deserve to be much better known.
Pictured left to right:
2021 Villa Matilde Falanghina Avallone (Campania, Italy) – $29.99
2019 d’Angelo Sacravite IGT (Basilicata, Italy) – $21.99
2019 Tenuta del Portale Starsa (Basilicata, Italy) – $21.99
2020 Tenuta Scuotto Aglianico IGP (Campania, Italy) – $29.99
2019 Mastroberardino Lacryma Christi del Vesuvio (Campania, Italy) – $29.99
2017 Mastroberardino Radici Taurasi (Campania, Italy) – $61.99
Other available wines:
2019 Tommasi Masseria Surani Heracles Primitivo (Campania, Italy) – $24.99
2019 Grifalco Aglianico del Vulture Gricos (Basilicata, Italy) – $26.99