T aurasi, Like many of Italy's wine regions, has come under Greek and Roman influence, its origins dating back as far as 800 BC. It is located 31 miles (50km) north-east of Naples, where the vineyards sit among the hills of Avellino and where the Aglianico (from the Greek Ellenico) grape thrives.

This red grape’s success is largely due to the terroir and topography of the Taurasi zone: its vineyards are at an elevation of at least 1312ft (400m) above sea level, where the best sites are found (Castelfranci, Jampenne, Radici and Torre).

There are also myriad soils including calcareous marls, volcanic deposits and limestone; the latter contributes a tannic quality to the wines, while the volcanic soil adds a certain smokiness. In spite of Taurasi’s ancient origins, it is also regarded as a modern wine. This is largely due to the efforts of the esteemed winemaker Antonio Mastroberardino, who played a huge part in bringing this area to the forefront. His legendary 1968 Taurasi grabbed international attention and since then, the area's popularity and reputation has soared.

Taurasi first gained its DOC status in 1970 and was promoted to DOCG in 1993. Under these regulations, the wines must comprise at least 85% Aglianico from the province of Avellino. The remaining 15% can be made up with other permitted local red grapes, usually Piedirosso and sometimes Sangiovese and/or Barbera.

The majority, however, tend to be pure Aglianico. The wines must be aged for three years before release with a minimum of one year in barrel. Riservas require a further one year with at least 18 months in oak.

Some Descriptions of Taurasi DOCG Wines

Wikipedia Taurasi and Taurasi riserva are red, still Italian wines based principally on the Aglianico grape variety produced in the Province of Avellino in the Campania region. They were awarded Denominazione di Origine Controllata (DOC) status in 1970 and Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita (DOCG) status in 1993. Produced less than 40 miles (64 km) from the other Aglianico stronghold of Aglianico del Vulture in Basilicata, the volcanic soils of the Taurasi region demonstrate the potential the Aglianico grape has to make wines on par with the Nebbiolo grape of Piedmont and Sangiovese grape of Tuscany. The popularity of the region's wine is a relatively recent phenomenon. Until the early 1990s, there was only one winery (Mastroberardino), producing wine for the export market. By the mid-2000s, there were over 293 producers in the Taurausi zone.

Berry Brothers & Rudd Campania’s volcanic soils yield wines of impressive elegance and personality, as demonstrated by an array of compelling indigenous varieties. The DOCG wine appellation of Taurasi is located in the region of Irpinia within Campania, which is also home to the prestigious DOCGs; Fiano di Avellino, Greco di Tufo and the Irpinia DOC. Taurasi is the stronghold of the Aglianico grape, which thrives on vineyards at higher altitudes. The DOCG regulations stipulate that Taurasi wines must be aged a minimum of 3 years prior to release with at least 1 year maturing in wood. Riserva wines require at least 4 years ageing. The wine blend consists primarily of Aglianico, complemented with up to 15% of Barbera, the little-known but very promising Piedirosso and Sangiovese.Taurasi is considered as the most ageworthy, complex and structured expression of Aglianico wines.

IntoWine In the region of Campania (see related article on Lacryma Christi) there is red wine that is worth knowing about and which merits acquisition. This wine, named Taurasi, is made from the Aglianico grape, the same grape discussed in the article on Aglianico del Vulture from Basilicata. Indeed, the Aglianico grape is utilized over much of southern Italy. For reasons which will be explained below, the Aglainicos from Campania are some of the best made anywhere.

Snooth Taurasi is a wine region based on the Aglianico grape, located in Campania in southern Italy. The vineyards are within the high altitude area of Avellino, in soils composed of many elements, most notably limestone and volcanic ash. The wines from Taurasi have a tannic grip and slightly smoky finish unlike other Aglianicos, and this terroir composition is very much a contributing factor.

DiWineTaste Taurasi is not only a great expression of Aglianico grape in Campania, it is also - undoubtedly - the most famous and representative red wine of the region. Taurasi, a town in province of AVellino, has certainly been the first viticultural area to give notoriety to Aglianico in Italy and in the world; the wines of this area are in fact classified as Denominazione d'Origine Controllata e Garantita since 1993 (Denomination of Controlled and Guaranteed Origin, DOCG).

Italian Wine Taurasi and Taurasi riserva are red, still Italian wines based principally on the Aglianico grape variety produced in the Province of Avellino in the Campania region. They were awarded Denominazione di Origine Controllata (DOC) status in 1970 and Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita (DOCG) status in 1993. Produced less than 40 miles (64 km) from the other Aglianico stronghold of Aglianico del Vulture in Basilicata, the volcanic soils of the Taurasi region demonstrate the potential the Aglianico grape has to make wines on par with the Nebbiolo grape of Piedmont and Sangiovese grape of Tuscany. The popularity of the region's wine is a relatively recent phenomenon. Until the early 1990s, there was only one winery (Mastroberardino), producing wine for the export market. By the mid 2000s, there were over 293 producers in the Taurausi zone.

Eric Pfanner, New York Times Aglianico is grown widely across Southern Italy, but it is in Campania that the variety reaches its greatest heights, especially around the hilltop village of Taurasi, the wine-growing focal point of the interior region known as Irpinia. Taurasi is prized for its altitude and its volcanic soils. The vineyards climb to more than 500 meters, or 1,640 feet, providing hot, sunny days and cool nights; despite the southerly location, the grapes ripen slowly, and some producers harvest well into November — more than a month after the grapes have been picked in more northerly areas, like Tuscany.

Italian Wine Chronicle The prestige of Taurasi wine is not only due to the soil and climate: its greatness is also down to the Aglianico variety, whose origins are still being debated.

Select Italy In the wine world, some villages get all the love: Barolo, Barbaresco, Montalcino. Others remain unknown even in Italy. Taurasi, tucked away in hilly Irpinia barely 2 hours east of Naples, is one of them. And after tasting the wines of Taurasi, you’ll agree: these wines are the best-kept secret in the wine world because those in the know like to keep them that way. How else can you explain the fact that these flavorful, long-lived, well-structured wines that can rival the best reds from the Center and the North at a fraction of the price remain unknown to most consumers?