Campania

Campania

40° 32' 34.033" N

LATITUDE

74° 9' 50.724" E

LONGITUDE

0

subregions

about this region

Campania is an area located in southern Italy. In 2020, the region produced 1.4 million hl of wine, which equals 15.6 million cases. The wines produced there are diverse: they can be fruity and young or more robust and structured.  White wines tend to be more aromatic, while red wines have more personality in taste. The latter usually require aging to be thoroughly enjoyed.

The most cultivated grape in Campania is Aglianico. With this variety, two well-known wines are produced in the area: Taurasi and Aglianico del Taburno. On the other hand, the most cultivated white grape varieties are Fiano (used to create Fiano di Avellino wine) and Greco (used to produce Greco di Tufo wine).

Associations

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vinerra illustration
3518

Vineyard Hectares

75

WINERIES

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growing degree days

Discover Terroir

Campania's wine region is located south of the Italian Peninsula, just in front of the Tyrrhenian Sea. Currently, this wine region has 18 subregions, each with unique characteristics:

Thanks to this location, Campania has two types of climate:

On the one hand, the vineyards closer to the coast have a milder continental climate.

On the other hand, the vineyards located further inland in Campania, such as the Falanghina DOC, have a more rainy climate. As a result, the wines have a more floral profile.

Regarding the soils, although volcanic soils predominate, Campania also has other types of soils:

For example, in the Costa d'Amalfi DOC, clay and silt soils predominate.

On the other hand, in the DOC Ischia the soil is mainly composed of a particular volcanic rock, tuff.

Discover

The Campania wine region, nestled in the southwestern part of Italy, is renowned for its rich viticultural heritage and diverse array of grape varieties, which contribute to the area's distinctive wine profile. Among these, Aglianico, Fiano, and Greco stand out as emblematic of the region's winemaking prowess. Each variety brings its unique characteristics to the wines of Campania, shaped by the specific agricultural and climatic conditions of their environments. 

  1. Aglianico: Aglianico is perhaps most celebrated for its role in prestigious DOCGs such as Taurasi, where it finds its most illustrious expression. Aglianico thrives in well-drained, volcanic soils, a testament to the terroir's significant influence on the grape's development. The climate in these areas is typically Mediterranean, with marked differences between day and night temperatures during the ripening season, which is crucial for the development of the grape's complexity and structure. Aglianico vines are hardy, capable of withstanding the rigors of the hot, dry climate, yet they require careful management to balance vigor and fruit quality. This grape's ability to mature late in the season allows it to benefit fully from the warm days and cool evenings of autumn, a critical factor in achieving phenolic ripeness and maintaining acidity.
  2. Fiano: Fiano has found a congenial home in the Campania region, particularly noted within the DOCG designation of Fiano di Avellino. This grape variety favors a cooler, more temperate climate, which helps preserve its delicate aromas and acidity. Fiano's success in Campania is partly due to the altitude of the vineyards, often situated at higher elevations where the cooler temperatures prevail, especially at night. The soil composition varies, with a preference for chalky and volcanic soils that ensure good drainage and reflect sunlight, aiding in the slow and steady ripening of the grapes. Fiano vines are relatively low-yielding, a characteristic that necessitates meticulous vineyard management to ensure the highest quality of fruit.
  3. Greco: Greco, synonymous with Greco di Tufo, another celebrated DOCG of Campania, is cultivated under conditions that highlight the grape's robust character and adaptability. Like Fiano, Greco benefits from the volcanic soils prevalent in its growing areas, which contribute to the minerality and complexity of the wines produced. The grape requires ample sunlight to fully develop its flavors, making the sun-drenched slopes of Campania ideal for its cultivation. Greco is typically planted at higher elevations than many other varieties, exposing it to the beneficial cooling effects of higher altitudes. This exposure is crucial for maintaining the grape's acidity and freshness. Despite its resilience to the heat, Greco demands careful water management to prevent stress and ensure even ripening.

In conclusion, the cultivation of Aglianico, Fiano, and Greco grapes in Campania is a testament to the region's diverse terroir and the adaptability of these varieties to their specific climatic and agricultural conditions. Each grape variety, with its unique set of requirements, contributes significantly to the rich tapestry of Campania's viticultural landscape, producing wines that are as complex as they are reflective of their origins.

In Campania, the most produced wines are made with the Aglianico grape variety (on the red wines side) and with Fiano and Greco (on the white wines side).  

Aglianico: This red grape variety is native to southern Italy. Wines produced with this variety not only have a good body and a firm tannin presence, which is usually softened by a few years of barrel aging. As they age, wines produced with the Aglianico variety adopt a fruitier profile.

Fiano: This white grape variety is very popular in Campania. It is usually used alone or accompanied by other varieties but always with a great predominance of Fiano. Wines made from this variety develop a floral profile with some nutty, spicy and tropical fruit notes.

Greco: This white grape variety is also particularly popular in Campania. It stands out mainly for its versatility, as it allows the production of wines ranging from a fresher, herbal profile to fuller-bodied wines, with an aroma and flavour profile oriented towards stone fruits.

altitude

200 - 700 m

rain

600 - 800 mm

soil

Volcanic, Clay and Silt

top varietal

Aglianico, Fiano, Greco

History of wine

The history of viticulture in Campania has very ancient origins. In fact, it is believed that the Greeks introduced the first grape varieties, such as Aglianico, Greco, Fiano, Falanghina, Biancolella and Piedirosso, arriving in Italy between the VII and VIII centuries B.C. Later, in the IV century B.C., viticulture in Campania had a great development due to the arrival of the Romans. Many wines even began to be exported outside the Italian peninsula.

Despite this growth, in the I century A.C., wine growing in Campania began to decline. Nevertheless, winemaking continued to be a major economic source for the region. But in the 3rd century, with the definitive fall of the Roman Empire in the 3rd century, the decline of winemaking in the region intensified.

It was not until the 1300s that winemaking was reborn in Campania, thanks to the great popularity of the Asprinio variety. Another important historical fact for the development of winemaking after the fall of the Roman Empire was the 1700s when many merchants arrived in Campania looking for grapes to produce sparkling wines.

But, although the first DOC (Ischia) was created in 1966, it was not until the 1980s that quality wine was once again produced in Campania. Finally, the region's newest DOC, Falanghina del Sannio, was created in 2011.

Subregions

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