Aglianico del Vulture 2021

The Pipoli estate is located in the Basilicata region, in the heart of the Aglianico del Vulture wine area. The vineyards are planted on volcanic soils on the slopes of Mount Vulture, at an altitude of up to 800 meters above sea level. According to winemaker Alberto Antonini, the region has remained intact and frozen in time. On arrival at the cellar, the grapes are destemmed and lightly crushed, then the must ferments in stainless steel vats. The wine is then aged in stainless steel vats (60%) and used oak barrels (40%) for 10 months . Finally, it will age in bottle for an additional 3 months before release. This vintage is made from Aglianico , a grape variety already cultivated by the Greeks and anchored in the landscape of southern Italy since Antiquity. The wine offers aromas of tart cherries , prunes , dark berries , blackcurrants , blackberries , vanilla , chocolate as well as some smoky, earthy, spicy and balsamic notes. The palate is round and creamy with supple and delicate tannins. A wine full of deliciousness.

Ah Italy, what a beautiful hedonistic country, people of the Dolce Vita, but what difficulty in understanding its wine organization! The key to understanding the naming system in Italy is to think of it as several small countries rather than a single homogeneous country because each region has its own naming system. Italy can, however, give wine lovers a multitude of wines with varied and unique flavors and styles, as well as bottles filled with surprise and creativity. Unfortunately, it also produces a large quantity of soulless and characterless wines which are sold under their most useful and commercially reputable name: Pinot Grigio, Chianti, Valpolicella, Lambrusco, Prosecco and many others... But let's talk a little history, viticulture in Italy dates back to ancient times and it originated in Greece. The Etruscans would have planted vines and Greek immigrants would have improved and modified the grape varieties who subsequently called this country "Oenotria": the country of wine. At the height of the Roman Empire, wine held an important place in daily life and certain regions already stood out for the excellence of their product. The Romans also established numerous vineyards in Europe, leaving an indelible testimony to their invasion. Today Italy is the largest wine producer in the world, ahead of France. Italy is divided into three climatic areas. The northern mountains experience a fairly harsh mountain climate. The “middle of the boot” plain is the domain of the continental climate with cold winters and hot, stormy summers. In the "southern part of the Italian boot" the Mediterranean climate reigns with very hot and very dry summers without forgetting the islands of Sicily and Sardinia. In summary, Italy produces wines of great variety thanks to its 200 different grape varieties, many of which originate from their lands. It is a country just as complex as its wines which deserve to be explored!