Taurasi, Fiano di Avellino and Greco di Tufo: the DOCG wines of Irpinia
What DOCG means, the difference between Aglianico and Taurasi, and what the specifications of Taurasi, Fiano di Avellino and Greco di Tufo provide for.
In brief
Aglianico, Fiano and Greco are grape varieties; Taurasi, Fiano di Avellino and Greco di Tufo are the names of DOCG wines that come from specific areas, with specific rules. DOCG is the highest level of Italian designations of origin for wine.
What DOC and DOCG mean
These are the Italian abbreviations for wines with a protected designation of origin. Under Italian law (Law 238/2016), DOCG, “denominazione di origine controllata e garantita”, may be granted to a DOC with at least seven years of history and with stricter rules. It is not a quality ranking among wines: it indicates that the wine complies with a specification for area, grapes and production and that it has passed the analytical and organoleptic checks required.
Aglianico or Taurasi?
It is the most frequent question. Aglianico is the grape variety, the black grape, grown in several areas of Campania. Taurasi is the wine, the designation, with precise rules: only wine made from Aglianico grapes (at least 85%) grown in 17 municipalities of the province of Avellino, and complying with the specification, may be called Taurasi. Every Taurasi is made with Aglianico, but not every wine made from Aglianico grapes is a Taurasi.
Taurasi DOCG
- DOC since 1970, DOCG since 1993.
- Aglianico at least 85%; 17 municipalities in the province of Avellino.
- Ageing of at least three years, of which at least one in wood; for the Riserva, at least four years, of which eighteen months in wood.
In the selection: the Taurasi Terzotratto DOCG.
Fiano di Avellino DOCG
- DOC since 1978, DOCG since 2003.
- Fiano at least 85%.
The name “Fiano di Avellino” is that of the DOCG and indicates the area. In the selection: the Fiano di Avellino DOCG.
Greco di Tufo DOCG
- DOC since 1970, DOCG since 2003.
- Greco at least 85%; eight municipalities in the province of Avellino.
- The sparkling version is metodo classico only: at least 18 months on the lees, 36 for the Riserva.
In the selection: the Greco di Tufo DOCG.
And Falanghina?
Falanghina is not a DOCG. It is a grape variety, and Falanghina del Sannio has been a DOC since 2011 (Falanghina at least 85%, grapes from the province of Benevento). The level of protection is not a comparison of quality, it is a description of rules: you will find one in the selection, the Falanghina del Sannio.
Aglianico also has a Samnite DOC: the official name is “Sannio”, with the specification Aglianico, and the grapes must come from the province of Benevento. There is also the DOCG Aglianico del Taburno in the Benevento area. In the selection: the Aglianico DOC del Sannio; for the exact designation, the label prevails.
What to look at on the label
- The designation (DOCG, DOC) and the name of the wine.
- The actual alcoholic strength in % vol, always mandatory.
- The indication “sulphites” or “sulphur dioxide”, mandatory above 10 mg/l (as total SO₂).
- The name of the bottler and the place.
For the other details of a food label, see how to read the label. What to serve them with is the question addressed by wine and food pairing. All the wines are in the Wine shop; sale is restricted to people over 18.
