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Basilicata Wines
Basilicata, also known as Lucania, is an
often neglected region of arid hills and desolate mountains that can be bitterly
cold for a southerly place. But the cool upland climate has its advantages for
viticulture, in wines that can show enviable aromas and flavors. Basilicata has
only two DOCs, with its Aglianico del Vulture that gives the inhabitants a
source of pride, as it is one of southern Italy's finest red wines, and is
gradually gaining admirers elsewhere.
The Aglianico vine was brought to Basilicata by the Greeks, perhaps as long ago
as the sixth or seventh century BC. Its name is a corruption of Hellenico. On
the slopes of the extinct volcano known as Monte Vulture it makes a robust,
deeply colored wine that from fine vintages can improve for many years, becoming
increasingly refined and complex in flavor.
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Basilicata Wines: |
I Love Italian Wine and Food - The Basilicata Region
An article by: Levi Reiss
...Basilicata devotes about 60 thousand acres to grapevines, it ranks 17th among the 20 Italian regions. Its total annual wine production is less than 13 million gallons, also giving it a 17th place. About 73% of the wine production is red, leaving 27% for white. The region produces two DOC wines, Aglianico del Vulture, reviewed below, and Terre dell Alta Val d’Agri...
Wine Reviewed Cantine di Palma DOC ‘Il Nibbio Grigio’ Aglianico Vulture 2000 13% alcohol about $14
Let’s start with the marketing materials. “Medium ruby in color with aromas of dried berries, leather, figs, dried flowers and spice. This medium-bodied wine has a rustic style, it’s quite assertive on the palate with some dusty tannins. It would be great with lamb chops or braised pork ribs and could reward 2-3 years further cellaring. (August 2005).”...
The first pairing was with meatballs and potatoes. The wine had a fine nose. It was quite full-bodied, and tasted of tobacco (I’m not a smoker) and cherries.
While the wine was very pleasant it was shorter than I had hoped. It was quite enjoyable on its own.My reactions were basically the same when tasting this wine with beef ribs, except that the wine was moderately long. It was easy to drink but not light... read the entire article...
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