Greco di Tufo DOC – Smooth White Wine from Avellino

Considered one of the most antique wines in Italy. First written references come from the city of Pompei in the sixth century BC. On a wall in the city destroyed by the Volcano Vesuvio across the bay from Naples a poem describes the soft nature of this wine. The poem reads,

You are cold, Bice [the name of his loved], truly a piece of ice, if even the Greco wine could not warm your heart last night.

The grape Greco di Tufo was originally cultivated on the slopes of Vesuvio where the wine produced bears the name Lacryma Christi. Later it was planted in the small town of Tufo in the hills of Avellino.

Greco di Tufo is produced only in the towns of Tufo, Prata di Principato Ultra, Montefusco, Altavilla Irpina, Chianche, Petruro Irpino, Torrioni in the Province of Avellino. Additionally only the hillsides are considered proper areas because in the valley the ground is too humid and does not receive sufficient sun.

This is not a mild wine, it is full of personality, and is said to compensate for the gentle nature of the inhabitants of the Irpinia (the mountains that encompass the region) who transformed this hard land with attention and love.

Greco di Tufo is truly a particular white wine. Its personality and flavor make it a perfect choice for delicate foods, such as appetizers and fish with butter or white sauces and just as appropriate with quality roasts and medium structured meats.

Grape: 85-100% Greco di Tufo. Remaining White Coda di Volpe up to 15%.

Color: Hay yellow to yellow gold.

Bouquet: Pleasant tones of Sambuco, Peaches, and Almonds.

Flavor: Dry, clean, with a pronounced but balanced taste.

Alcohol: 11.5 - 14 %

Serving Temperature: 10 degrees c.

Decanting: none

Glass: Stemmed narrow bellied glass.

Greco di Tufo is considered one of the antique geographical wines of Italy. Numerous wine tours include a stop in Tufo to visit the producers.

Tags: Food and Wine Avellino Travel Campania Italy

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Taurasi – Red Wine from Avellino

Northern and Central Italian wines are very well known worldwide but, the wines of “mezzogiorno”, a word that means noon but indicates southern Italy, are sometimes excellent and usually significantly less expensive than their more northern cousins. Taurasi is known as the Barolo of the south for its excellent structure, complexity and flavor. Most people do not know, and it is counterintuitive since Avellino is about 800 km to the south, that the hills of Taurasi have the same climate as Langhe, home of Nebbiolo and Barolo.

Taurasi DOCG is a very antique wine. It predates the Roman Empire and was first produced by the Greeks who had conquered this section of Italy. Taurasi DOCG, like Barolo, is made from a single grape and is an aging wine, that is, one that gets better with time and will easily support 15-20 years in the cellar. The Grape is the Aglianico however its original name was “Hellenica” or of the Greeks. The wine takes its name from a small town that was conquered by the Roman in 80 AD.


This wine is hearty, a manly wine, not for the faint of heart. This wine requires a well-structured meal. It is perfect with savory entrees of wild game, red meat roasts, and aged cheeses.

Grape: 100% Aglianico [law permits up to 15% of other red grapes but the producers have decided to protect the quality of the wine and use only Aglianico].
Color: Brilliant, intense, Ruby red. Over the years the wine will pick up orange highlights.

Bouquet: Pronounced character, but not immediately intense, and earthy tones.

Flavor: Dry, serious, heavy tannins when young, yet very balanced with age, full, complex, and finally a persistent aftertaste.

Alcohol: 12,5-14%

Aging: Minimum 3 years, of which at least one must be in Ash or Oak Barrels

Serving Temperature: 18 degrees c.

Decanting: At least one hour, preferably with a separate decanter and not just the open bottle.

Glass: Wide bodied and wide mouthed, a balloon is usually a great choice for this wine.

Tags: Food and Wine Avellino Travel Campania Italy

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