Taurasi DOCG is made from 100% Aglianico grapes, which are sourced from the property’s vineyards in the north-eastern part of the area, with pure volcanic soil. The must is fermented in steel tanks and matured for 18 months in medium-roasted French barriques. After bottling, the wine is further matured for 9 months before release.
The color of the wine is almost inky black and glossy. In the aroma, you sense notes of cherry, blackberry and a bit of blackcurrant, but also a good dryness and a good bite, with spicy notes (cinnamon, nutmeg, rose pepper), which provide a good counterbalance to the fruit sweetness. The taste has plenty of crispness and finesse, despite 14% alcohol. The wine offers dry tones, which could be reminiscent of a wine from the Nordrhône or from the Haut-Médoc in Bordeaux, but also rounded tannins, which add good harmony to the aftertaste. The wine will develop even more during oxygenation in the decanter.
Suitable for roast lamb, beef or veal, but also for stews with game.
Feudi di San Gregorio is undoubtedly one of the most well-known and reputable producers in Campania. The winery is located near the village of Sorbo Serpico (province of Avellino), in the middle of the Irpinia district, considered one of the best districts in Campania. The mountainous and incredibly varied landscape with its, by southern Italian conditions, relatively cool climate and distinctive volcanic subsoil, offers not only aromatic, delicate and unique wines, but also some of Italy’s best vegetables, fruits and nuts.
The winery was founded in 1986, when two families from the Irpinia area together bought an older vineyard with associated vineyards, most planted with over 60-70 year old vines. Right from the start, the stated goal of Feudi di San Gregorio has been to produce top wines in keeping with the area’s age-old traditions. In particular, the desire to utilize the characteristics of the local terroir/each vineyard to produce unique wines has been high on the wish list. Therefore, a thorough analysis of the soil and microclimate was immediately carried out on all parcels in order to determine where each of the classic grape varieties would perform at their best.
At Feudi di San Gregorio, which today also owns the Ognissole winery in Puglia, there is thus no compromise on quality: Every one of the company’s wines must reflect a product made according to all the rules of art and with respect for nature, express the distinctive character of the field and the grape as well as tell a story about the district. All with the aim of providing the greatest experience in the glass!
Although Taurasi wines were already some of the most prized wines under the Romans, the district lived for a long time in anonymity. Taurasi got its DOC in 1970, but it wasn’t until the area gained DOCG status in 1993 that interest from both producers and wine enthusiasts really began to rise. Today, the district consists of approx. 310 ha. vineyards, spread over 17 municipalities around the town of Taurasi. The vines are planted at an altitude of 400-500 m.a.s.l., on pure volcanic soil, and with a fairly changeable climate. A combination that produces some of the most exciting and characterful red wines in Italy.
The red wine grape Aglianico dominates here (with at least 85% of the blend, usually supplemented with Barbera, Piedirosso and Sangiovese), and the wines in DOCG Taurasi are divided into Rosso or Rosso Riserva. Rosso requires a maturation of min. 3 years (of which 1 year in cask) and the Riserva min. 4 years (of which 18 months in cask). The Taurasi wines are often compared to, for example, Barolo or Barbaresco from Piedmont, as they can be a bit harsh and tannic in their youth, but quite quickly acquire elegance, complexity and harmony. The wines from the northern part of the district can also show slightly spicy and smoky notes. The Taurasi wines gain considerably by aging in wooden barrels… and in the bottle!
