Introduction

By Paul Caputo

Where can Beneventano wines be produced?

The IGP appellation for the wines of Benevento covers production throughout the administrative territory of the province of Benevento. The province is found east of Caserta and north east of Naples. To the south is the province of Avellino, home to the famous white wines of Fiano di Avellino and Greco di Tufo.

Which grape varieties are permitted for use in IGP Beneventano wines?

The key varieties are the local names of the Campania region such as the white Coda di Volpe, Falanghina, Fiano, Greco, Malvasia Bianca di Candia. Reds are often made from Aglianico, but Piedirosso and even Sciascinoso are becoming more popular. International varieties such as Chardonnay, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon compliment the presence of Sangiovese, Barbera and Moscato Bianco.

What kind of wines are made in Benevento?

As interest grows around some of the key grape varieties of Campania, producers are increasingly comfortable producing a range of mono-varietal table wines labelled as Benevento IGP. It is not unusual to find producers in the DOCG Aglianico del Taburno declassifying some of their younger wines or less appreciated plots and instead selling the wine with this geography reference. That doesn’t mean that all Benevento IGP wines are basic entry level wines. There are some that thrive on blending varieties in a way that falls beyond the production rules of some of the local DOCs.