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1.23.2011

Galluccio DOC

Galluccio is one of those DOCs that doesn't get much attention, and doesn't do much to garner any either. According to this text, there are grumblings of a new DOC for the long-forgotten grape varieties, Pallagrello (nero and bianco) and Casavecchia. They are currently produced under the Terre del Volturno IGT. This could definitely create some interest.

The two Pallagrello varieties were favored by the Bourbons, but were all but wiped out by phylloxera. Casavecchia, however, has much more ancient origins with possible connections to the Oscans. The legend goes that an old vine was found in the ruins of a garden with an unusually large trunk. Cuttings were taken (or maybe even seeds), and the variety was reborn. There is a lot of information out there about these historic varieties, but this is the short version, and is based on the stories that I heard back in 2004 when I was introduced to these wines while living in Ischia

And if the producers can keep themselves from tarting up the end product with barrique to make them "important," we might actually be able to enjoy them.

Text below adapted from: Del Canuto, Francesco et al., Il vino italiano, panorama vitivinicolo attraverso le denominazioni di origine, Associazione Italiana Sommeliers (Bertani & C.), Milano, 2010 (2002), fourth edition.

Recognized as a DOC in 8/4/97

Production Zone: includes the townships of Conca della Campania, Galluccio, Mignano Monte Lungo, Rocca d'Evandro and Tora e Piccilli, all in the province of Caserta.

Yield: Whites, 12 tons per hectare; Reds, 11 tons per hectare

Aging Potential: Whites and Rose, about 1 year; Reds, 1-2 years.

Grape Varieties: WHITE: Falanghina, min 70%, alcohol min 11%; ROSSO: Aglianico min 70%, alcohol min 11.5%; ROSATO: same as rosso but with a min alcohol of 11%

Other types: Riserva, must have a minimum of 12% alcohol with at least 24 months of aging

Galluccio, set in the hills of the volcanic Roccamonfina, is the newest appellation in the province of Caserta. This region, though for now unremarkable, has the potential to make good wine. In recent years some pioneering wineries in the the province are looking to reclaim land for vineyard sites that had long gone to ruin. There is also a movement to reclaim and cultivate some ancient grape varieties like Pallagrello (nero and bianco) and Casavecchia in limited production, and to create a new DOC for them.**

**VERY exciting, in my opinion.

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4 Comments:

Blogger Do Bianchi said...

that photo is amazing! This post reminds me of that time we were at Kestè in NYC with Michele and you spied that bottle of Lettere on the wall. There are so many great, juicy, grapey appellations in Campania that you just don't hear about except if you go down there... great post piccina! love you!

1/23/2011 10:32 AM

 
Blogger Tracie P. said...

i knew you would like that pic! love you too :)

1/23/2011 11:06 AM

 
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Great post Tracie...love you, Dad

1/26/2011 10:08 PM

 
Anonymous Thomas Schampaert said...

Wow, I just discovered your blog. Great, all Italian!
I was just wondering: are you a sommelier or something like? You seem to know an awful lot about the lesser known (and often hilariously nice) DOC and DOCG. I was kind of raised on Italian wines - which is by far the normal procedure for Belgian winelovers - so I ventured into the Italian wilderness of 'other' wines quite early when I noticed that there was more than just plain love in the game when it came to wine (and Italian food, and Italian culture, and the Italian language, and ...). There aren't too many people who seem to know tazzelenghe, asprinio, freisa or frappato, yet in the hands of able growers, they can make incredible wines.
Will keep following you.

1/27/2011 6:50 AM

 

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