Tasted a bevy of interesting wines over the past week, all from one producer in the Campania region, near Naples, in Southern Italy. I have always had a liking for the wines from this area, both red and white.

Taurasi Riserva DOCG from Mastroberardino was one that I remember from as far back as 25 years, but they had fallen off my radar until recently. We just added four wines from the region, from a producer I have not tasted before, and was very excited to have: Tenuta Cavalier PEPE.

Many of the varieties from the Campania have Greek roots, some brought here by Greek settlers, and some cultivated by Greek slaves during the Roman Empire. All are quite rare--some have even bordered on extinction until recently. I spent a day in Pompeii years ago with Carlo Mastroberardino and a few others, during a government sponsored project where they were identifying ancient varieties, and replicating them from DNA they unearthed. Facinating!

Some of the ‘only in this corner of the earth’ varieties you should search out for history, experience and to simply joy are: Aglianico, Falanghina, Coda di Vople, Piedirosso, Greco (red and white, although the white Greco di Tufo is easily found) Fiano and a few others. Fans of oak can stay away, but if you love purity and authenticity, you need to try these gems! Don’t let the price of the Taurasi fool you! This wine is considered the Barolo of the South and is well worth
the price. Just open it a few hours in advance!

Tenuta Cavalier Pepe Falanghina Beneventano ‘Lila’ IGT - $12.19

Tenuta Cavalier Pepe Greco di Tufo ‘Nestor’ DOCG - $17.29     

Tenuta Cavalier Pepe Aglianico ‘Terre del Varo’ Irpinia DOC - $13.99

Tenuta Cavalier Pepe TAURASI ‘Opera Mia’ 2007 DOCG (Aglianico) - $39.99

Shayne Hebert, Wine Supervisor

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