Vigneti del Vulture Pipoli Greco-Fiano 2020
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Vigneti del Vulture “Pipoli” Greco-Fiano Basilicata IGT is pale lemon yellow, while the nose has notes of citrus, pear, and melon with a hint of spice. A zesty refreshing finish.
Blend: 50% Greco, 50% Fiano
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Intense reduction and some smokiness on the nose brings to mind bouncy balls and gasoline before turning over to citrus, flowers and sea air. The palate also plays well in the space between floral and savory, first with honey, tangerines and almond flowers and then bringing in toasted pumpkin seeds, wild herbs and seashells.
Vulture is part of a large area that extends to the north of the Basilicata region, dominated by the austere profile of the Monte Vulture, a non-active volcano. For centuries the volcanoes were thought of as a source of destruction and death, today farmers are compensated for the damage caused by the eruptions of the past centuries by being able to grow vines on the cooled lava which contains an incomparable wealth of minerals, which create the grapes complexity.
To get the best wines, however, require not just great terroir, but it is important to have the grapes that best fit to these lands. Varieties such as Aglianico and Greco have been shown to be able to adapt to these beautifully unspoiled areas, producing wines of great complexity and depth.
With hundreds of white grape varieties to choose from, winemakers have the freedom to create a virtually endless assortment of blended white wines. In many European regions, strict laws are in place determining the set of varieties that may be used in white wine blends, but in the New World, experimentation is permitted and encouraged. Blending can be utilized to enhance balance or create complexity, lending different layers of flavors and aromas. For example, a variety that creates a soft and full-bodied white wine blend, like Chardonnay, would do well combined with one that is more fragrant and naturally high in acidity. Sometimes small amounts of a particular variety are added to boost color or aromatics. Blending can take place before or after fermentation, with the latter, more popular option giving more control to the winemaker over the final qualities of the wine.
Inhabiting the arch of Italy’s boot, this southern, mountainous region has a relatively small amount of vineyard area under vine. Basilicata has one DOCG for its prized red grape, Aglianico, Aglianico del Vulture Superior, which is limited to the slopes of an extinct volcano. The best whites are made of Malvasia bianca.