Campania Tales, probably the most important wine occasions in southern Italy, came about this yr in Sannio on the northern fringe of Campania from Could twenty first to twenty fifth. The twelfth version welcomed wine writers and different commerce professionals.
This yr was an unbelievable success with over 90 wineries who submitted their samples to a large viewers of worldwide bloggers, journalists and wine critics. The setting couldn’t be extra stunning because the occasion consists of a journey via the principle wine areas of a area recognized by guests for the gorgeous Amalfi Coast and the colourful metropolis of Naples.
Sannio simply north of the Naples, the city of Dugenta hosted the occasion on the luxurious resort, Tenute del Gheppio. Producers had the chance to current their newest white wines together with their Riservas. Presentation of the 2023 classic was led by Francesco Martusciello, one of many flying winemakers of the area, at Rocca dei Rettori di Benevento, in cooperation with Assoenologi. Francesco Martusciello emphasised the 2023 classic pattern which was an uneven yr with restricted manufacturing however of very prime quality. The whites had been an ideal instance with their predominant fermentative aromas that can definitely dissipate with time to indicate the true character of the grape.
We additionally loved an in-depth journey via Campania to see producers of their component visiting estates in Sannio and Irpinia the place they found the landscapes of clean hills, primarily of clay, with expansive vineyards divided by the principle rivers of Calore in Irpinia, and Volturno in North Sannio. These visits had been made attainable partly by the shut collaboration of Miriade & Companions headed by Diana Cataldo, Massimo Iannaccone and Serena Valerian.
That is an space recognized for is nice viticulture, for the reason that Roman occasions when it was often known as Campania Felix. A spot the place Roman heritage continues to be evident with the invention of a number of amphoras and instruments for winemaking, but in addition marked by unbelievable buildings relationship again the 18th century, such because the majestic Carolino aqueduct that dominates the valley as a Unesco Heritage web site.
This stunning nook of Campania reveals historical past, artwork and tradition which are solely found by venturing off the crushed path, equivalent to Vigna del Ventaglio close to Caserta in San Leucio, one other UNESCO World Heritage web site. The place was already recognized previously for prime quality silk manufacturing, when the Bourbon King Ferdinando IV chosen a winery within the form of a fan and divided it into 9 sectors, every cultivated with distinctive grape varieties he liked probably the most, like Piedimonte Rosso and Bianco, Procopio, Delfino Bianco and Siracusa Rosso, parental vines of the trendy ones.
Trendy winemaking gear has been launched in Campania. For example, outstanding estates have been utilizing excessive -ech crushing machines and tanks with cooling jackets, and on the similar time the wine property are preserving sure conventional winemaking methods like using amphoras the place native grapes equivalent to Greco, Fiano and in addition Coda di Volpe carry out effectively.
The 2-day tasting was a real pleasure for me, with glowing, whites, reds and rosè from throughout Campania, over 200 samples from 90 producers. I centered totally on the glowing wines that are exhibiting fascinating enhancements. Whereas in the beginning, most glowing wine from Campania was Charmat technique from a few of the semi-aromatic grapes of the area, primarily Falanghina, however now a number of conventional technique wines have gotten increasingly standard with giant enhancements when it comes to high quality.
This was positively a roadshow of one of the best expression of Campania viticulture and panorama. For a full immersion on this promising rising area, Campania Tales is wine to not be missed. And now I can solely look ahead to the 2025 version, which might be hosted by the Volcano Vesuvio.
Filippo Magnani
