Fiano di Avellino Tenute di Altavilla DOCG
Francesco Paolo Avallone founded Villa Matilde in the early 1960s. A lawyer by profession, his passionate interest in the classics led him to investigate a 3,000-year-old wine favored by ancient Roman poets and emperors: the “immortal Falerno.” His decade-long quest led to the development of prime clones of Aglianico, Piedirosso and Falanghina. Today, twenty original clones of the three varieties are trademarked by Villa Matilde, and Francesco Paolo’s son and daughter, Salvatore “Tani” and Maria Ida Avallone, continue their father’s legacy. Villa Matilde extends four properties, two within the Falerno del Massico DOC appellation (province of Caserta): and two in the Benevento and Avellino provinces. The Avallones have also reached an enviable goal: zero greenhouse gas emissions on all properties.
Tenute di Altavilla extends 25 hectares (62 acres) in the province of Avellino, in the DOCG zones of Irpinia. The vineyards feature predominantly tuffaceous soil with a high percentage of clay, excellent exposure, beneficial diurnal temperature changes and steep slopes.
Made from pure Fiano grapes from very old vines (planted from 1968 to 1985). After harvest, the grapes are cryo-macerated for maximum aromatic extraction and structure. They are then soft-pressed and fermented. The wine ages in stainless steel for around four months. Very traditional, with a distinctive palate, body, persistence and finesse.
Wine exported to
Australia, Canada
Grape Varieties:
100% Fiano
Fermentation container:
Stainless steel
Type of yeast:
Selected
Fermentation temperature:
5 °C (41 °F)
Maceration technique:
Cryomaceration
Aging containers:
Stainless steel
Aging before bottling:
4 months
Closure:
Silicone
Organic:
No
Vineyard location:
From vineyards at the Tenute di Altavilla estate, Campania
Soil composition:
Tuffaceous and marly clay soil
Vine training:
Guyot
Altitude:
500-600 meters (1,640-1970 feet) above sea level
Vine density:
2,500-3,000 vines per hectare
Yield:
About 3,000 litres per hectare
Years planted:
1968-1985
Age of vines:
30-45 years old
Time of harvest:
Mid-October
First vintage of this wine:
2004
Total yearly production (in bottles):
20,000
Tasting notes:
Intense straw yellow, with an elegant nose, reminiscent of ripe citrus fruit, apricots, peach and nuts evolving towards exotic fruit and honey. Structured, silky, mellow and well balanced, with excellent finesse, persistence and especially typicity.
Serving temperature:
Best served at 10 -12 °C (50- 53.6 °F).
Food pairings:
Seafood risotto, egg pasta or truffle-topped dishes
Aging potential:
5 years
Alcohol:
Alcohol cont. 13,5% by volume; dry extract: 23,5 g/L; total acidity: 5.4 g/L; residual sugar: 3,1 g/L; pH: 3.42
Winemaker:
Riccardo Cotarella
