Aglianico red wine variety

Aglianico, the name of this red wine variety which is now at home in Southern Italy, is believed to be derived from Ellenico, the Italian word for Greek. This gives us a clue that the wine may have been introduced by the Greeks who settled in Southern Italy a couple of millennia ago. The variety hasn't moved far since, seemingly content to hibernate in obscurity in Campania and Basilicata, but that may soon change.

In Italy this variety makes full bodied elegant wines with firm tannins and high acidity. Aglianico is made into varietal wines or is often the dominant variety in blends. It sometimes plays a minor role in blends with the ubiquitous Sangiovese.

The Italian DOCs of Taurasi and Aglianico of Vulture are where the best wines are produced. The combination of flavour tannin and acid means that these wines are suitable for aging.

In Australia the variety is being introduced into the Murray Darling Region with encouraging results. Aglianico's ability to make deeply coloured and aromatic wines in warm to hot regions indicate that it is a variety with considerable future in Australia.

As more wineries and grapegrowers become more concerned about global warming they are looking for varieties like this one, and for example the white variety Fiano. Sutton Grange Winery in the Bendigo Wine Region are moving in this direction.

The Murray Darling Collection made an Aglianico wine in 2004 which was featured in a tasting at the Australian Alternative Varieties Wine show in 2005. Karanto Vineyards in the Langhorne Creek region plan to use this variety. We will see more of this exciting variety in the future.

Some Australian Wineries with Aglianico

• Brown Brothers King Valley
• Di Lusso Estate Mudgee
• Karanto Vineyards Langhorne Creek
• Murray Darling Collection Murray Darling
• Rimfire Vineyards Darling Downs
• Sutton Grange Winery Bendigo

Food pairing with Aglianico

These wines are firm and full bodied. Perhaps you could chose a game dish such as wild boar, or kangaroo.

In Southern Italian cuisine spicer sauces are used for pasta dishes. One of the favourites in the region is Spaghetti alla puttanesca, prostitute's spaghetti, where the sauce is made with garlic, olive oil and tomatoes but given a spicier savoury flavour by the addition of anchovies, capers and chili. A strongly flavoured sauce demands a robust wine, and Aglianico fits the bill.

Check out the latest way to write wine tasting notes like a pro

The cost, including delivery to an Australian address, is just $9.00 per copy.

For limited time only you can get a free copy if you join as a 'Friend of Darby' at this wine club

To order your copy for delivery within Australia please use the button below.

For delivery outside Australia, please click here!