Aglianico del Vulture

Styles

Principal grape varieties

Terroir

• The territory lies on the slopes of Monte Vulture, an extinct volcano that remained active until the upper Pleistocene, with a maximum peak of 1,327 metres above sea level.
• Volcanic activity has produced an alternation of subsoils of different origin, such as volcanic tuff and sandy sedimentary tuff.
• The tuffs play an important role as a water reserve for the vine during the dry summer months.
• Soils range from sandy and pozzolanic-sandy types to silty-clay, with abundant colloidal formations that underpin fertility.
• The vineyards lie between 200 and 700 metres above sea level, with variable slope and a general exposure oriented towards east and south-east.
• Annual rainfall ranges from a minimum of 650 mm to a maximum of 1,300 mm, with an annual average of 650-750 mm concentrated mainly in autumn-winter.

• Traditional production involved second fermentation in bottle for the sparkling Aglianico, with internal pressure of 3 to 6 bar and residual sugar of 20 to 60 grams per litre.
• The area's cellars were traditionally carved into caves and natural hypogea, as in Melfi, where an inventory from 1589 recorded 110 of them.
• The Aglianico del Vulture DOC was recognised by Decree of the President of the Republic of 18 February 1971.

• All the wines show a ruby red colour, with aromas mainly of berries and stone fruit but also floral notes typical of the variety.
• On the palate the wines show normal acidity, a hint of bitterness and a possible residual astringency typical of the variety, together with excellent structure that favours palate balance and longevity.

• The Vulture massif generates air currents and hillside breezes that lower summer temperatures, with significant effects on phenolic development in the skins.

Facts drawn from the specification's terroir-link section by automatic interpretation — see the source.

All appellations in Italy

Sources

• eAmbrosia register (EU) — File number PDO-IT-A0222
• Official trade body site — Consorzio di Tutela Aglianico del Vulture