Campania

The region of Campania in southern Italy has a long history of wine production dating as far back as Roman times, growing Falernum which was reserved for emeperors of the time. Today it has more DOCGs than any other region in the south. Its most dominant grape variety is by far Aglianico. This grape produces a full flavoured high acidity wine with good tannin that works particularly well with food. The quality of this grape entitles Taurasi DOCG to the nick-name 'Barolo of the South'. It tends to have more fruit and floral characteristics than other Italian reds and even manages to age well in new oak..a task Nebbiolo rarely can accomplish well. The region has a warm Mediterranean climate meaning grapes tend to ripen with little vintage worry of vintage variation. For many years, wines of the south were considered of inferior quality to those in the north of italy. However, in recent times international producers have zoned in on the south's massive potential. Land values are a fraction of what they are in Tuscany and Piemonte and the area is free from the PDO regulations that restrict more famous regions in the north.