Grape Variety: Greco di Tufo

Colour: White

Greco di Tufo makes enchanting wines. In ancient times its excellent grapes were named Aminea Gemina because they generated some characteristic double bunches. According to Aristotle, the Aminea grapevine comes from Thessaly, native land of the Amines who settled in Campania and planted the Greco on the slopes of Vesuvius. Mentioned by Columella, Plinio and Virgilio, the Aminea grapes have been appreciated since the ancient times for particular ageing capacity. For centuries, the Montefusco area has been the elected site for the Greco cultivation, due to the extraordinary mineral characteristics of its soil.

The characteristics of good Greco di Tufo is that it has a capacity for ageing- its colour is a brilliant, luminous deep golden colour with flashes of gold and green.  It can be an elegant and balanced wine with captivating fragrances of white flowers, minerals, citrus and white fruits. The acidity melds well in the richness of the body and in the long aftertaste of fruit. On the nose it can have floral nuances with richer notes of hazelnut and almonds, while mineral tones usher in a palate that is full with golden apple, peach and cinnamon.  The two Grecos from Benito Ferrara are weighty specimens with layer after layer of flavour. The Ferrara vineyards are situated in the heart of the Tufo region where the soil is rich in calcium, phosphorus, potassium and silicon, as well as in the sulphur that so characterises this region- especially evident in the Greco di Tufo"Vigna Cicogna” - terrific length afforded by a rich smokiness.  It is mineral and flavoursome, a wine that will evolve to eventually reveal lime flower and hawthorn as well as hazelnut and ginger- great with spaghetti Puttanesca and Octopus in a tomato and chilli sauce. The Greco di Tufo from Vadiaperti ( Montefredane, Avellino) is classic balanced Greco with elegant refined notes of ripe fruit, golden delicious apples, lifted by floral (orange blossom) and acacia honey nuances.  The palate is fresh and structured with good balance and length and a perceptible bitter almond finish.  Partner if you will with spaghetti with clams and stuffed cuttlefish.