I have come to realize... I am a huge Aglianico fan. Haven’t met one I didn’t like. The 2 major regions, on my radar, that produce this fine Italian grape varietal are Campania, and Basilicata. Now!... in Basilicata (The Arch of the foot of the boot) there is this friggin Volcanic Mountain called Vulture. And they grow grapes on it. The soil is black...BLACK!!! from Liquid Hot Magma. So here is how I see it going down..... Way back in the day some Italian dude (or lady)(but probably a dude) was sitting with his buds, obviously hammered, and slurs to his cronies, (none of them are coherent at this point because if they had heard his idea they would have stopped him immediately.) "Heya guysa, Ima gonna go upa toa da Volcano. Anda make'a... some'a wine'a". Obviously he's so drunk he is speaking in English. So with the only objection being a sleep fart from his bro Luigi, this dude sets out and plants some aglianico vines in the black ashy volcanic soil of Vulture.
Thanks to this dude we have some of the most interesting value wines in the market today. In these wines you can taste and smell the black ashy soil that these grapes grow in. It is just awesome. As well as this varietal that just reeks and tastes of plums and black cherries. The Yum factor in this grape is wicked high. Great food wines and I guarantee it is only a matter of time before the US starts messing with Aglianico. I wanted to start this blog off with what I think is one of the highest value driven Varietals in the market today. Go out and pick up a bottle. You can probably find a great one for $12 bucks like the one I tasted below (although not from Basilicata). Yum Yum Yum for my Tum Tum Tum. Thank goodness for drunk Italian dudes and their crazy ideas. And sleep farts.
Wine Tasted: Aminca “Monsignore” – Aglianico - 2001
This wine shall now be known as "THE BLACK HOLE." There is a slight plumy deep redish hue to the edges of this wine but in the center is a big black abyss. I think if I stuck my finger in the glass I would be sucked in never to return. WOW, just wow. I mean screw seeing your fingers through it. I think if I held up the bat signal behind it I wouldn’t be able to see it.
Smells like some plumy cherry goodness. Some definite alcohol on the nose but not too bad. Wood chips, saw dust, stone as well.
Totally attacks like its gonna be huge and heavy but then floats down like a cloud. Pencil Shavings, plumy dark juicy fruit. MMMMMM! Nice grippy tannins on the mid palate. Gripping right smack dab in the middle of the tongue. Nice length. The fruit quality on this one is like a Black Cherry Hansens Soda. I grew up drinking those things. This wine is ridiculous delicious. I’m getting some sour cherry as well. Really Fun wine. Nice acidity. Clean, fresh and simple. This thing isn't going to challenge you to a chess match but he is so dang tasty. And in my book Tasty goes a long way. $12 bucks is what I found this guy for. Do yourself a favor and get to know Aglianico. Your mouth will be happy.
Great Aglianico Producers:
Elena Fucci (Basilicata)
Mastroberardino (Campania)
