Italian Varietals Are Popular in the Temecula Wineries – The Aglianico Grape
Posted: Thursday, January 21, 2010
by Dave Gregory
Temecula Wineries
When you ponder Italian wine the grapes that pop into your mind initially might be Sangiovese, Pinot Grigio, Super Tuscan Sangiovese and basket wines (Chianti). With over 2,000 Italian grape varietals recognized, there are so many other Italian varietals that are becoming attainable in the United States and the Temecula Wine Country is beginning to take recognize and plant them.
The new found curiosity in these varietals is partly due to the like region of Temecula Valley to the regions that these vines thrive in Italy . Another reason for the interest in planting these varietals is that they previously were not available in the United States.
In this article we will talk about one of these new arrival of Italian varietals in Temecula Valley Wine Country. Aglianico (pronounced ah-LY-AH-nee-koe) is a black grape grown in the Campania and Basilicata regions of Italy. The vine originated in Greece and was transported to Compania by Greek settlers. The name may be a corruption of Vitis hellenica, Latin for Greek Vine. Another origin derives the name Aglianico from a corruption of Apulianicum, the Latin adjective which signifies the entire southern Italy in the Roman age. Earlier in Roman times, it was the main grape of the well-known Falernian wine which was the Roman equivalent of a First Growth. Current research has resolved that Aglianico may be related to the Syrah grape.
Recently Aglianico has been planted in Australia and the United States, particularly in Southern California. Aglianico does well in dry, sunny areas like that found in Temecula Valley AVA.
In 1988, Caparone Winery in the Paso Robles began the first American Aglianico planting at their San Marcos Road vineyard. They produced the first American Aglianico wine in 1992 and continue to createAglianico to this day.
Wines harvested from Aglianico tend to be full bodied with firm tannins and high acidity, making this a wine that has maturing potential. The rich flavors of the wine make it appropriate for paring with rich meats such as lamb and delicious red-sauced dishes.
Here in the Temecula Valley, Aglianico is offered for wine tasting combined as a percentage of the dessert port-style wine offered at Masia de Yabar Winery situated at 39788 Camino Arroyo Seco as well as a varietal Estate wine at Cougar Vineyard & Winery situated at 39870 De Portola Road. The two of these wineries are located on the De Portola Wine Trail of Temecula Wine Country. There is a well established vineyard grown on property owned by the Temecula Olive Oil Company also planted in 2006 on the winery property of Cougar Vineyard & Winery.
Cougar Vineyard & Winery is planted in entirely Italian varietals with 2,000 of the 8,500 vines being Aglianico. We will be talking about some of these other varietals being grown by Cougar in future articles about the Italian grape varietals grown in Temecula Wine Country of Southern California.
Rick Buffington is the CEO of Cougar Temecula Winery. This small boutique is a favorite stop for Temecula Wine Tasting. Next time you visit the Temecula wineries, check out Cougar Winery. Our web address is http://CougarVineyards.com and phone number is (951) 303-3969.
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