Campania: a journey through the best wines of Campania

Among the best red wines of Campania, Taurasi is a DOCG (Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita) typical of the province of Avellino. It is a wine made from 85% Aglianico, a red grape variety widespread in Campania and southern Italy. The earliest evidence of one of Campania's greatest typicalities dates back to the seventh century B.C. when the grape variety was imported from Greece. According to a document from 1167, the Spaniards called 'Aglianica' the vine cultivated near Taurasia, which is today's Taurasi. Over the centuries, the production of Taurasi has increased along with its notoriety. Aglianico di Taurasi is an intense vine, rich in tannins, and difficult to cultivate and vinify. Once brought to the table, it returns to the nose a scent of violets, black cherry, and undergrowth and can rekindle passion thanks to its deep red hues.

We remain in the province of Avellino with another DOCG wine: Greco di Tufo. It is a white wine made from 85% Greco and 15% Coda di Volpe, two typical grape varieties in Irpinia. It is one of the few Italian white wines that lends itself to substantial ageing. Greco di Tufo is produced in two types, classic white and sparkling. Like Aglianico, Greco owes its origin to its importation by Greek colonies around the 7th century BC. Warm, sumptuous wine with a sensory personality: peach, apple, almonds and honey are just some of the aromas it releases. It's an excellent wine that pairs well with most fish dishes, unripened cheeses and risotto. The sparkling wine, made using the classic method, pairs beautifully with starters based on cured meats.

Falanghina is a white grape variety. It's fresh, soft, delicate, with excellent acidity and is one of the most appreciated and consumed wines in Campania. The areas where it is produced are Sannio Beneventano, the province of Caserta and the Campi Flegrei. It's a vine of Greek-Balkan derivation that owes its name to the word 'phalange' or 'supported by poles' as the grape was traditionally tied to two support poles.

Over the centuries, Falanghina production declined more and more until it was almost abandoned. When in the early 1900s, it was discovered that Falanghina is one of the few vines not attacked by phylloxera and that volcanic soils increase its immunity, the vine was revalued and the number of bottles produced each year increased. Falanghina del Sannio Beneventano has been recognised as DOC and entered the list of Campania's best wines. It has a straw-yellow, almost golden colour and is distinguished by its fruity aromas. Perfect to serve as an aperitif, it is recommended to pair Falanghina with fried fish, shellfish and white meat.

A white grape variety, Fiano is a typical product of Campania and one of Italy's most popular DOCG wines: Fiano di Avellino. The name Fiano comes from a population from the Apuan Alps that was overrun by the Romans in the second century BC. The barbarian people introduced the Apuano vine into Campania territory, which changed into Apiano, Afiano and eventually Fiano.

Fiano di Avellino is full-bodied, savoury and fresh. Ripe fruit, hazelnuts, flowers and honey are the predominant scents that leave anyone approaching a glass of Fiano for the first time enraptured. Territorial excellence of Avellino and its province, Fiano is also cultivated in Sannio and Cilento. This variety has different characteristics from the Avellino one but is just as good.

With peaks touching the sky and cliffs lapping the sea, the Amalfi Coast has a spectacular morphological structure. The numerous terraces carved into the mountain are ideal for growing vineyards and producing wines among the best in Campania. Among the red grape varieties are Aglianico, Piedirosso, Sciascinoso and Tintore, a centuries-old vine typical of Tramonti, from which the DOC Costa d'Amalfi is produced. Among the most widely produced whites are Fenile, in the Furore area, Ginestra and Papella. All white grape varieties are included in the DOC Costa d'Amalfi.

Visiting a country also means discovering and tasting the flavours of its land. A sip of wine hides within it a world made up of centuries and centuries of research, hard work and infinite love for the raw materials donated by the land. For a tourist approaching the discovery of the gastronomic universe for the first time, it's not easy to find one's bearings among the numerous options that Campania offers.

This is why we advise you to rely on an expert capable of suggesting the best routes to follow. Who better than the internationally renowned sommelier Daniele di Palma? Daniele di Palma, with Wine Tour Amalfi Coast, a leader in private wine tours made in Campania, accompanies his guests on tasting tours among the most renowned wineries in Campania: Borgo Giulia, Bosco De' Medici, Tagliaferro, Marisa Cuomo and Reale and many others.

Wine tour Amalfi coast has a wide variety of tours, suitable for food and wine lovers. The Silver Tour includes a visit to the most beautiful and evocative towns on the Amalfi Coast, with tastings of typical wines. The Mozzarella and Wine Tour includes a mozzarella-making lesson accompanied by tastings of local cheeses and wines. Then there are boat tours, cooking classes and sport fishing. Excursions include visits to Vesuvius, the Pompeii excavations and those dedicated to the Amalfi lemon and the production of limoncello, the famous liqueur typical of Campania. Not only a pleasure visit but also lots of information and curiosities. In addition, the presence and in-depth knowledge of Daniele Di Palma allow everyone to understand all the stages of wine production and the characteristics that make these wines unique worldwide.