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Basilicata

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AglianicoPrimitivoGreco

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Place & climate

  • Southern Italy: Basilicata is largely hilly and mountainous, with short coastal stretches on the Tyrrhenian and Ionian seas.
  • Monte Vulture: The volcanic uplands in the region’s north are its principal red-wine reference.
  • Elevation & season: Inland elevation and cool nights distinguish many sites from hot low coastal plains; Aglianico needs a long ripening season.

Aglianico del Vulture DOC

  • Principal grape: Aglianico defines the northern Vulture wine identity.
  • Principal style: Dry red, generally deeply coloured with dark-fruit character, fresh acidity and firm tannin.
  • Volcanic landscape: Vineyards occupy varied sites around Monte Vulture; volcanic origin alone does not determine flavour or quality.
  • Other DOC forms: The still DOC wine may range from dry to abboccato; red spumante is also permitted. The principal dry red is not its only legal form.

Aglianico del Vulture Superiore DOCG

  • Separate protected name: Superiore identifies the region’s DOCG here, distinct from Aglianico del Vulture DOC.
  • Grape & style: Aglianico-based still, dry red with mandatory wood and bottle maturation; Riserva receives longer ageing.
  • Read the full label: Superiore and Riserva are not interchangeable words, and the initials do not rank every individual bottle.

Read the label

  • One DOCG: Aglianico del Vulture Superiore is Basilicata’s sole DOCG; ordinary Aglianico del Vulture remains DOC.
  • Category & style: The DOCG is still and dry; do not automatically transfer every broader DOC style to Superiore.
  • At the table: Serve with roast lamb, grilled pork or a slow-cooked beef ragù; savoury meat and sauce give the tannins a substantial match.

At the table

  • Aglianico: Serve with roast lamb, grilled pork or a slow-cooked beef ragù; savoury meat and sauce give the tannins a substantial match.
  • Greco: Pour a dry example with grilled fish and herbs; a fuller, textured bottle suits chicken in a light cream sauce.
  • Service: Fresh dry whites: 9–11°C; textured whites: 11–13°C. Structured reds: 16–18°C; decant mature sedimented bottles gently just before service.

History & Storytelling

  • Aglianico del Vulture received DOC recognition in 1971, followed by the separate Superiore DOCG in 2010. Both designations remain useful today, with different permitted styles and maturation requirements.