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Contadina Taurasi, 1998 |
Produced
by Terredora
Taurasi DOCG
A mountainous area located north-east of the town of Avellino,
Taurasi is one of Italy's most important wines and the
South's only DOCG. The wine is made from 100% Aglianico,
a late ripening variety that you are sure to be hearing
more from in the future. This example comes from Terredora's
vineyards situated in Lapio and Montemiletto.
The grapes are hand-harvested and then macerated for 10-12
days. After fermentation, the wine is aged in 225L French
oak barrels for 18 months. After blending the maturation
continues in 3,500L oak barrels for 12 months and then
in bottle for a further 8-12 months.
Tasting
Notes
The
wine has a garnet core showing a slightly pink-orange
rim. A fairly intense nose of black pepper, stewed dark
fruit and a hint of vanilla spice. A full bodied wine
that saturates ones palate with the dark rich flavors
of Aglianico - tobacco, violet, and a hint of minerality.
A wine that can certainly age for another 5 to 7 years
but is drinking very well right now. Pair this wine with
robust meals, truffles and aged cheeses.
Campania Wine Fact
Taurasi gained DOCG status, Italy's highest denoted wine
level, in 1993. It was, and remains, the only DOCG zone
south of Rome on mainland Italy. While the zone has over
150 producers there are precious few whose wines are exported.
Regulations call for Taurasi to be aged for a minimum
of three years, one of which must be in wood, with an
additional year required for reserves. The Aglianico grape
can be joined by several other vartieties ( e.g. Barbera),
but these additions are rarely, if ever, used.
Notes
provided by the distinquished experts at Vino,
New York City's premier Italian wine merchant.
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