Campania

Why Campania's whites are among southern Italy's most original

Campania isn't only home to great ageing reds: the region also holds a white wine tradition of great originality, built around native grapes almost unknown beyond its borders, capable of giving wines of structure and longevity uncommon in the southern Italian white wine landscape.

Irpinia and Campi Flegrei: the territories of Campania's whites

In Irpinia, the same area home to Taurasi, two white grapes of great character are grown: Fiano, the basis of Fiano di Avellino DOCG, capable of giving structured wines with hazelnut and honey notes that intensify with age, and Greco, which in Greco di Tufo DOCG gives taut, savoury, mineral whites thanks to volcanic soils. In the Campi Flegrei, a volcanic area west of Naples, the Falanghina grape finds one of its most identity-defining expressions, often grown on ungrafted vines thanks to sandy soils that protected the vineyards from phylloxera.

From fresh Falanghina to long-lived Fiano: the styles of Campania's whites

Falanghina generally offers a fresh, floral, easy-drinking profile, made for relatively young consumption. Greco di Tufo stands out for pronounced savouriness and minerality, able to hold up to a few years of bottle ageing. Fiano di Avellino represents the most complex, long-lived style, with an aromatic evolution over time leading to dried fruit and honey notes, approaching the structure of Italy's great ageing whites.

At the table with Campania's whites: pairings that work

Falanghina naturally accompanies pizza, mixed fried seafood, and seafood starters. Greco di Tufo pairs well with more structured fish dishes and shellfish. Fiano di Avellino, given its complexity, holds up to elaborate fish dishes, seafood pasta, or semi-aged cheeses, especially in its more evolved versions.

Which Campania white to choose, depending on the occasion

For an aperitif or a casual seafood-based meal, a Falanghina remains the most natural choice. For an occasion calling for more minerality, Greco di Tufo offers a distinctive profile. Anyone seeking a more complex, long-lived white, capable of surprising even a knowledgeable wine lover, will find their discovery in Fiano di Avellino.

Frequently asked questions

Why is Fiano di Avellino considered an ageing white?

Thanks to its structure and acidity, Fiano can evolve in bottle for several years, developing a more complex aromatic profile with hazelnut, honey, and dried fruit notes compared to the young version.

What is Greco di Tufo?

It's an Irpinian DOCG produced mainly in the municipality of Tufo, from Greco grapes grown on volcanic soils that give the wines a pronounced savouriness.

Why are some Falanghina vineyards ungrafted?

The sandy soils of the Campi Flegrei prevented phylloxera from spreading, allowing some vineyards to survive without needing to be grafted onto American rootstocks, a rarity in viticulture.

Are Fiano, Greco, and Falanghina related grape varieties?

No, they are three distinct native grapes, each with its own genetic and organoleptic characteristics, even though they share the same region of origin.