Aglianico [ah-LYAH-nee-koh]

from

One of the higher-quality red-wine grapes found in southern Italy, primarily in CAMPANIA and BASILICATA. Aglianico is thought to have been planted in this region as early as the seventh century B.C. The best 100 percent Aglianico wines come from TAURAS DOCGI, followed by those from AGLIANICO DEL VULTURE DOC. The wines from these two areas are notably ROUGH when young due to high TANNINS, noticeable ACIDITY, and a dense concentration of flavors; they’re definitely built for AGING. As these wines mature, they can exhibit great BALANCE, with subtle fruit flavors and EARTHY, TARRY, and CHOCOLATY characteristics. FALERNO DEL MASSICO also produces excellent wines that use a high proportion of Aglianico in their blend. Unfortunately, much of the wine produced from Aglianico grapes is low-quality and unexciting.