FRIDAY CELLAR TASTING: Campania · A Region of Indigenous Varietals
Friday, August 27th @ NE Alberta Shop · 503.281.2675
4pm - 7pm · $20 tasting fee · Reservations Required

Italy is such a treasure trove when it comes to indigenous grapes that are made into mono-varietal wines. In fact, there are over 1200 documented varietals that are nati

ve to Italy and rarely, if ever, seen elsewhere. The region of Campania is a perfect example, with almost all the reds and whites produced here being made from native grapes that don't grow far beyond the region's borders. If you know Campania, it is probably because of the capital city of Naples or the tourist destination of the Amalfi Coast. But inland just a few 100 kilometers lies a wine growing region that has much variety to offer. Today, Campania is undergoing a modern revolution with a handful of rising-star producers, some with the guidance of famed eonologist Ricardo Cotarella.

If grape names like Piedirosso, Aglianico, Coda di Volpe, Falanghina and Fiano di Avellino sound familiar, then you know what we're talking about. If this is all Greek to you, then you will really enjoy the educational seminar about the wines of Campania we're going to put on at this Friday's tasting.

Unlike past tastings, this week we REQUIRE RESERVATIONS if you would like to join us. You can send an email to alberta@corkwineshop.com or call us at 503.281.2675. We'll just be pouring one round of bottles, which means we can accommodate up to 20 people. We promise the wines will not disappoint and will offer quite an array of flavors, textures and nuance.

Wines from Michele Alois: One of the most talked about up-and-comers in the Campania wine scene is Michele Alois and the work he and his son Massimo are doing at their estate in Caserta. Come check out a gorgeous new vintage of 2009 Caulino Falanghina along with the voluptuous 2007 Campole Aglianico. Both wines retail for about $20.

From Cantine Farro: 2008 Campi Flegrei Piedirosso, which is also called Piede di Palumbo in its local dialect, meaning dove's foot. This is a reference to the shape the grape bunches grow in on the vine. Cantine Farro is to the North of Naples and the volcanic soil where the vineyards are planted give a quality that really remind me of those ash-infused wines from Etna in Sicily. At $22/bottle, this is starting to get very interesting!

From Terre di Vulcano: 2008 Lava Beneventano Aglianico. This is the best value in the tasting, at $18.75/bottle, but it is one powerhorse wine that will show you the intensity and concentration one gets from Aglianico, without being over-extracted or sweet. Tobacco notes with plums, dried fruits and bitter almonds all mingle in a way that, when paired with food, can transport you to a far away place.

From Antonio Caggiano: We will be pouring his 2002 Taurasi Vigna Macchia dei Goti, a wine that sells for $48 and is unlike anything else in the lineup. Extracted, dense and chewy, with cigar, tar, leather and minerality, this is one big, bad red that is going to show you something new about wine and the range of flavors and textures to be had. 2002 was a stunning vintage in the region, unlike most of the rest of Italy, and hopefully we'll have the same vintage from our next producer as well.

From Galardi: Terra di Lavoro, the only wine made at this tiny estate in the hills far to the North on the Campania/Lazio border. It blends 80% Aglianico with 20% Piedirosso, it's aged in 100% new French barriques for 12 months and they make less than 1000 cases! This is one of those cult wines made with the help of eonologist Ricardo Cotarella, who helped modernize Italian wines in the 90's and, in my opinion, succeeded the most where he stuck with indigenous grape varietals, as in this case. The 2002 won every award out there for Italian wines and scored mid-to-high 90's from US reviewers as well. The 2005 was almost equal in quality and is our backup if we can't locate more of the 2002. This wine sells for $125/bottle but will be on special at the event for $105, so if you love it, you'll basically be getting your $20 tasting fee back if you buy a bottle!