Mastroberardino Bottle Basics 2021
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PASSION INTEGRITY FAMILY CURIOSITY TERROIR The Mastroberardino family is Inexhaustible drive and passion How can one generation In 1996, Mastroberardino was The estates are all located in largely responsible for the revival for his homeland fueled adequately honor its predecessor, selected by the Italian Irpinia, covering three DOCG and elevation of the native Antonio Mastroberardino’s when the legacy is so great? For government to lead the production areas: Greco di grapes and winemaking winemaking career, allowing Piero, Antonio’s son, the challenge ambitious Villa dei Misteri (or Tufo, Fiano di Avellino, him to survive the socio- was to realize his father’s dream Villa of Mysteries) project, Taurasi. Neighboring the traditions of Campania’s remote economic and environmental more fully than Antonio could Irpinian region, following WWII. with the goal of recreating the Mediterranean, Irpinia is adversity he faced following have: to preserve and catalogue wines of the ancient city of bordered by the Apennine Focusing locally, Mastroberardino WWII. Re-building from the the traditional viticulture of a pre- has had a profound impact on ruins, he began a war Irpinia. Piero spearheaded Pompeii using the same grape Mountains foothills, making it varieties and viticultural a pre-Alpine region. Situated Italian and international viticulture comprehensive restoration the Stilèma Project, with the aim project for the winery and of producing wines as close as techniques of the period. 300-600m a.s.l., Irpinia is and continues to be a beacon of Through DNA testing, and protected from rain and frost innovation and preservation, vineyards, choosing to plant possible to those his forefathers only native Campanian varieties. made. In continuing his father’s uncovered frescoes and by the mountains; its among the wine world and His local focus ignited a legacy, Piero has forged a new architectural sites, the family elevation protects against beyond. Today the family resurgence in quality wine path for himself and for has replanted vineyards using humidity of the lower valleys continues this legacy, production throughout Mastroberardino, to the delight of the same grapes and and rivers. spearheading numerous research Southern Italy, resuscitating future generations. His father techniques that were used by and revival efforts of bygone would-be extinct grapes into would be proud. the Ancient Romans. Italian viticulture. world class varieties. 1 MASTROBERARDINO GRAPE VARIETY // Late-ripening, Aglianico has naturally very high acidity and tannins, which Naturalis Historia Taurasi DOCG allow for long-aging. Wines are powerful, structured and mineral-driven. APPELLATION // Most notable wines are produced in the Taurasi DOCG Taurasi appellation, where Aglianico The Taurasi DOCG in Irpinia is dedicated thrives in its volcanic soils. Wines require primarily to Aglianico. Wines must include a min. of 85%, when blended with other 85% of the grape to achieve the native varietals. designation. Neighboring the DID YOU KNOW? Mediterranean, Irpinia is bordered by the MIRABELLA ECLANO// Apennine Mountain foothills, making this a The Mirabella Eclano estate is the pre-Alpine region. Situated 300-600m a.s.l., Named after Pliny the Elder’s winery’s main estate, in the heart of the Irpinia is protected from rain and frost by magnum opus, “Naturalis Taurasi DOCG area. The epicenter of the mountains and its elevation protects Historia,” this wine is the Aglianico production, research and against humidity found in the lower valleys ultimate expression of the rich, experimentation, this estate is spread and rivers. volcanic Irpinian terroir. over several hills with different exposures and is dedicated to the production of red grapes on slopes with soils containing ABOUT THE WINERY // sandy loam, with traces of limestone, The Mastroberardino family is largely Sourced from a single vineyard, clay and some volcanic matter. Mirabella Eclano, which is known responsible for the revival and elevation of for its high-quality, old vine the native grapes and winemaking Aglianico plantings. WINEMAKING & AGING // traditions of Campania’s remote Irpinian Manual harvest. Fermentation in region, following WWII. The efforts and stainless steel, followed by a long successes of Antonio Mastroberardino’s Naturalis Historia Taurasi has an maceration period at controlled work ignited a resurgence in quality red and temperature in stainless steel tanks. white wine production in all of Southern aging potential of 50 years or Aged for 24 months in French oak more. Italy. His son and current owner, Piero, barriques, followed by a minimum of 30 continues the legacy, spearheading months refinement in bottle. Complex, numerous research and revival efforts of full, intense and persistent, the bouquet bygone Italian viticulture. offers aromas of violets, black currant, blackberry, strawberry, black cherry, vanilla, and chocolate. 2 MASTROBERARDINO GRAPE VARIETY // Late-ripening, Aglianico has naturally very high acidity and tannins, which Radici Taurasi Riserva DOCG allow for long-aging. Wines are powerful, structured and mineral-driven. APPELLATION // Most notable wines are produced in the Taurasi DOCG Taurasi appellation, where Aglianico The Taurasi DOCG in Irpinia is dedicated thrives in its volcanic soils. Wines require primarily to Aglianico. Wines must include a min. of 85%, when blended with other 85% of the grape to achieve the native varietals. designation. Neighboring the DID YOU KNOW? Mediterranean, Irpinia is bordered by the RADICI // Apennine Mountain foothills, making this a Radici Taurasi Riserva, first produced in pre-Alpine region. Situated 300-600m a.s.l., 1986, is the result of extensive physical In 1968, Antonio bottled three Irpinia is protected from rain and frost by and chemical research within their Taurasi Riserva wines, which single vineyard Montemarano estate. the mountains and its elevation protects were labeled with specific areas Selecting the best sites for their Riserva against humidity found in the lower valleys within Taurasi, from which the production, the wine's strong, dense and rivers. grapes were harvested. This structure and aromatic concentration concept of site-specific are evident characteristics of this 20- ABOUT THE WINERY // designation was barely year-old vineyard. Radici, which The Mastroberardino family is largely established anywhere in Italy at translates as “roots,” refers to the family's research in clonal selection, responsible for the revival and elevation of the time. While the family no rootstocks, and site selection. the native grapes and winemaking longer bottles these three cru traditions of Campania’s remote Irpinian wines, Antonio's foresight and WINEMAKING & AGING // region, following WWII. The efforts and innovation, and the work he did successes of Antonio Mastroberardino’s to preserve the native grapes of Manual harvest. Fermentation in stainless steel, followed by a long work ignited a resurgence in quality red and his region, brought attention and maceration period at controlled white wine production in all of Southern prestige to Campanian wines that temperature in stainless steel tanks. Italy. His son and current owner, Piero, arguably set off a quality Aged for 30 months in French oak continues the legacy, spearheading winemaking revolution in barriques and Slavonian casks, followed numerous research and revival efforts of Southern Italy. by a minimum of 36 months refinement bygone Italian viticulture. in bottle. 3 MASTROBERARDINO GRAPE VARIETY // Late-ripening, Aglianico has naturally very high acidity and tannins, which Radici Taurasi DOCG allow for long-aging. Wines are powerful, structured and mineral-driven. APPELLATION // Most notable wines are produced in the Taurasi DOCG Taurasi appellation, where Aglianico Grapes are sourced from two estate thrives in its volcanic soils. Wines require vineyards, Montemarano and Mirabella a min. of 85%, when blended with other Eclano, within the Taurasi DOCG of Irpinia. native varietals. Neighboring the Mediterranean, Irpinia is DID YOU KNOW? bordered by the Apennine Mountain RADICI // foothills, making this a pre-Alpine region. Radici Taurasi is Mastroberardino's Situated 300-600m a.s.l., Irpinia is protected In 1968, Antonio bottled three flagship wine. Although first released in 1928, the wine became known as from rain and frost by the mountains and its Taurasi Riserva wines, which Radici, which translates as “roots,” in elevation protects against humidity found in were labeled with specific areas 1986. This classic red is the result of the lower valleys and rivers. within Taurasi, from which the painstaking research into Aglianico grapes were harvested. This clonal selection, rootstocks, and site concept of site-specific selection of this region’s unique volcanic ABOUT THE WINERY // designation was barely terroir and topography. A brilliant The Mastroberardino family is largely established anywhere in Italy at example of the powerful structure and elegance of this noble grape. responsible for the revival and elevation of the time. While the family no the native grapes and winemaking longer bottles these three cru WINEMAKING & AGING // traditions of Campania’s remote Irpinian wines, Antonio's foresight and region, following WWII. The efforts and Manual harvest. Fermentation in innovation, and the work he did successes of Antonio Mastroberardino’s to preserve the native grapes of stainless steel, followed by a long maceration period at controlled work ignited a resurgence in