Taurasi
Taurasi: A Wine with Ancient History and Unique Flavor
Taurasi is a prestigious, Controlled and Guaranteed Designation of Origin wine produced in the province of Avellino. The name of this exquisite and unmistakable wine was changed in 2011 and is now marketed with the label Taurasi Rosso, adhering to the new regulations.
But what makes Taurasi so special? In this article, we will reveal its organoleptic characteristics, vinification, history, and more, to help you appreciate a wine that tastes of tradition and passion for the territory.
Organoleptic Characteristics
Taurasi has an intense ruby color, which tends to become garnet with aging, taking on orange reflections. Its unmistakable ethereal and pleasant notes on the nose, paired with its dry and harmonious taste, perfectly blend with a persistent aftertaste. In a nutshell, Taurasi is a complex wine that will conquer your palate.
Vinification
To obtain Taurasi, the wine must undergo at least three years of aging, of which at least one must be in wooden barrels, starting from December 1st of the year of grape production. This process is fundamental to guarantee the high quality of the final product.
Furthermore, to improve Taurasi's organoleptic profile, the addition of younger Taurasi wine to identical older wine, or vice versa, is allowed, up to a maximum of 15%, in compliance with the EU provisions. In this case, the label will indicate the year of the wine that contributes predominantly.
The production of Taurasi also respects the yield of grapes to wine: it must not exceed 70% after the first racking and must not exceed 65% after the mandatory aging period.
History
Aglianico, the main grape variety of Taurasi, was brought to Italy by Greek colonists between the 7th and 6th centuries BC. Its name changed over the centuries, and its etymology is still uncertain. However, it is documented that in 1167, the Spanish called the vine cultivated in Taurasi "Aglianica."
Taurasi is a toponym that derives from Taurasia, an ancient city of Irpinia destroyed by the Romans in 268 BC. However, in the area of the destroyed Taurasia, the Roman Empire founded a military colony and gave a new impulse to agriculture and viticulture.
In the 19th century, phylloxera was destroying vineyards in Europe, but the Taurasi area remained intact. Thanks to the massive export of wines to northern Italy and the entire Europe, the railway passing through Taurasi was also called the "Railway of Wine."
Conclusion
Taurasi is a wine with ancient roots and a history of successes that make it a product of high value. Thanks to skilled vinification and the choice of quality grapes, Taurasi has become an icon of Italian wine production. If you have not tried it yet, we recommend doing so to appreciate the tradition of the territory and the passion of the wine artisans. Cheers!
