Aglianico del Vulture

Did You Know?

• The Aglianico grape ripens late and is often one of the last non-dessert wine grapes harvested in Italy, picked from late October to early November.
• When yields are kept low, the grape produces intensely flavored wines.
• In recent years, some producers have moved toward using new French oak barrels for aging instead of large chestnut casks.

History

The Aglianico grape is believed to have been introduced by the Greeks in southern Italy in the 7th or 6th century BC. Remains of a Roman-age wine press have been found near Rionero in Vulture, along with a bronze coin depicting Dionysus. The Roman poet Horace, born in Venosa, wrote about the wine of his native land. One source states that after defeating the Romans in 212 BC, Hannibal sent his soldiers to Lucania to recover with Vulture wines.

In 1280, Charles of Anjou ordered 400 salme (185 liters) of red wine from Melfi for a summer stay at Castel Lagopesole. The wines were also sought by Florentine merchants. Viticulture increased in the 15th century, with vineyards covering the slopes of Mount Vulture between Melfi, Rapolla, and Barile, and cellars often excavated in caves. In 1906, the wine was presented at the Milan International, and it was cited in the Ampélographie by Pierre Viala and Victor Vermorel. In 2012, Poste Italiane dedicated a stamp to it.