Campania is one of Italy’s rich historic wine regions located in southern Italy and is home to some of Italy’s greatest wines from native grapes including Aglianico, Greco di Tufo and Fiano. Most tourists will travel to the coastal side of Campania including the Amalfi Coast, Naples and Mt. Vesuvius. Although if you branch out and head inland you will find the province of Avellino and today’s feature on the Donnachiara winery and the native grape, Fiano.
Winemaking in Avellino
Winemaking has existed in Campania since the Greeks planted vineyards there over 2,500 years ago. Avellino is an inland, mountainous area that is situated about 1 hour east of Napoli that grows ancient grape varieties on volcanic soils, that are rich in minerals which lend structure and depth to the wines. The wine territory spans from the Tyrrhenian Sea to the Apennines with the coast featuring Mediterranean climates and the more inland provinces, such as Avellino, having cooler climates with higher elevations. The grapes experience diurnal shifts, which is well suited to the white grapes of this area providing freshness and bright acidity to the wines.
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| Copyright of Consorzio Irpinia Vini |
Some of the top wineries of Avellino
There are many great wineries of Avellino to include the historic producer Mastroberardino, who helped revive the native grapes of the area post WWII. Feudi di San Gregorio, Villa Raiano and Tenuta Cavalier Pepe are additional wineries to consider along with today’s feature, Donnachiara, whom I’ve highlighted several times over the years. Donnachiara winery is a female led winery since 2005 and is currently owned and managed today by Ilaria Petito.
The Fiano grape
Fiano is an ancient grape that is about 2,000 years old that faced extinction during phylloxera. The grape’s best expression is found specifically in the territory of Avellino where it is labeled as the Fiano di Avellino DOCG if it meets the regulations to be labeled as so. The wines are made from a minimum of 85% Fiano grapes with up to 15% Greco, Coda di Volpe Bianca and Trebbiano Toscano.
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| Fiano grapes - copyright of Consorzio Vini Irpinia |
Fiano is a mid to late ripening grape that is an aromatic, floral grape that shows nice purity of fruit with elegance and structure. It has a medium to full body wine showing tropical fruits, citrus, pear, apple and some possible almond, hazelnut or honeyed notes.
The Wine
The 2019 Donnachiara Fiano di Avellino DOCG was straw colored and quite flavorful with lush tropical and tangerine notes on the palate. This wine is fuller bodied, well-balanced with a richer mouthfeel and slight tanginess. These wines can be enjoyed within 3-5 years, but as these wines age they take on a nutty character and richer texture.
You can find many Donnachiara and a variety of Fiano wines on Wine.com to try. I may receive compensation for any wines purchased through the affiliate link in support of Vino Travels.
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