Aglianico del Vulture Superiore

Styles

Principal grape varieties

Terroir

• The production zone lies on the slopes of Monte Vulture, an extinct volcano active until the Upper Pleistocene, with a summit at 1,327 metres above sea level that descends westward along the Ofanto river and eastward toward the Apulian plain.
• Volcanic activity, which began approximately 800,000 years ago, produced an alternation of subsoils of different origins, including volcanic tuffs and sandy-deposit tuffs, which play an important role in water retention during the summer months.
• The soils display a texture ranging from sandy and pozzolanic sandy to silty-clay, all characterised by abundant colloidal formations that provide a basis for fertility.
• The vineyards are situated at elevations between 200 and 700 metres above sea level, with varying gradients and a general aspect oriented toward the east and south-east.
• Annual rainfall ranges from a minimum of 650 mm to a maximum of 1,300 mm, with a yearly average of 650–750 mm concentrated mainly in the autumn and winter period; frequent spring frosts do not affect the vegetative activity of Aglianico del Vulture owing to its naturally late bud break.

• The cultivation of the vine in the Vulture area is already described by Latin authors such as Pliny, Strabo, Virgil, and Martial, attesting to an advanced viticultural tradition dating back to the seventh century BC.
• Historically, the prevailing training system was the bush vine (alberello) with one, two, or three spurs, later converted to vertical trellis to meet mechanisation needs, with both forms still coexisting across the territory.
• The DOC Aglianico del Vulture was recognised by Presidential Decree of 18 February 1971, and the DOCG Aglianico del Vulture Superiore by Ministerial Decree of 2 August 2010.
• The cellars were often housed in caves, of which hundreds were counted in Melfi, with a 1589 inventory recording 110 of them.

• The wines are deep ruby-red in colour, shading toward garnet with orange-tinged highlights in more aged examples.
• On the nose, aromas are predominantly fruity — berries and stone fruit — and floral, shading in more aged wines toward spicy or phenolic notes associated with wood.
• On the palate, the wines display normal acidity, a hint of bitterness, possible residual astringency, and excellent structure, elements that contribute to their overall balance and outstanding ageing potential.

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-A0527
• Official trade body site — Consorzio di Tutela Aglianico del Vulture