Winerim
🍷RedDifferentialRecognition: Low

Aglianico

Discover everything about the Aglianico grape: aromas, food pairings, regions and tips for restaurants.

Aglianico is part of the Winerim wine library because it helps restaurant teams connect grape variety, origin, style and commercial decision. Use this page as a practical briefing for the list, the floor team and staff training.

Sensory profile

The 'Barolo of the South'. Firm tannins, very long-lived.

Acidity

High

Body

Very full

Aromatic intensity

High

Recognition

Low

Commercial difficulty

Difficult

Scope

Differential

Typical aromas

Black plumSour cherryLeatherTobaccoDamp earthDark chocolate

Countries

Italy

Key regions

TaurasiAglianico del VultureIrpiniaCampaniaBasilicata

Winerim view

How it is perceived on the list

Wine-list perception

Aglianico should appear on the list with a clear style cue, a recognizable origin and one food context. That turns the grape from a technical name into a useful sales signal.

When it helps sell

Aglianico helps when the team needs a confident recommendation, a clear by-the-glass story or a bridge between familiar labels and more distinctive producers.

Guest profile

Best for guests who respond to direct guidance: style first, then region, then dish. The more specific the cue, the easier Aglianico becomes to sell.

Best sales angle

Sell Aglianico through one sentence that combines origin, weight and pairing. Avoid listing only the grape name when the region or producer does the commercial work.

When to highlight the grape

Give Aglianico more visibility when it anchors a category, explains a premium step or helps the guest compare styles without extra friction.

Usual role on the list

DifferentiatingPremiumDiscovery

Regions where it sells best

TaurasiAglianico del Vulture

Documented professional profile

Aglianico: Campania and Vulture beyond the powerful-red shortcut

A guide to Taurasi, Aglianico del Taburno and Aglianico del Vulture without making tannin, volcano or longevity absolute.

Identity

Aglianico is a late-ripening red variety associated particularly with Campania and Basilicata.

Range

Taurasi DOCG requires at least 85% Aglianico and regulated maturation; Aglianico del Vulture has separate denominations and rules.

Operational reading

Origin, elevation, vintage, ripeness, extraction and maturation condition tannin, acidity, alcohol and development.

Origin before stereotype

Taurasi, Taburno and Vulture share a variety, not territory or discipline. Keep the full denomination visible.

[AG-1][AG-2][AG-3][AG-4]

Production and style

It may show fresh or ripe fruit, structure and extended maturation; not every bottle follows the same oak or ageing regime.

[AG-1][AG-3][AG-4]

How to read the label

Check DOCG or DOC, area, percentage, category, vintage and maturation before promising style or longevity.

[AG-2][AG-3][AG-4]

Conditional service

Serve around 16–18°C according to body; give structured young wines air and do not automatically decant old bottles with sediment.

[AG-1][AG-3][AG-4]

Wine-list role

It can act as an age-worthy red, southern Italian reference, meat wine or origin-led premium step.

[AG-1][AG-2][AG-3][AG-4]

Mistake to avoid

Avoid calling it simply the 'Barolo of the south': the comparison hides different grapes, territories and rules.

[AG-1][AG-2][AG-3][AG-4]

Pairing and service cues

roast lamb
game
red meat
ragù
mushrooms
mature cheese

Continue by region, style and table

CampaniaRegional frameworkTaurasiReference denominationFull-bodied redOrganise by structureRed meatUse at the table

Sources and traceability

  1. [AG-1]Aglianico del Vulture. Consorzio di Tutela Aglianico del Vulture. 2026-10-17.
  2. [AG-2]Campania DOP and IGP wines. Regione Campania. 2026-10-17.
  3. [AG-3]Taurasi DOCG. Regione Campania. 2026-10-17.
  4. [AG-4]Aglianico del Vulture Superiore DOCG recognition and rules. Gazzetta Ufficiale della Repubblica Italiana. 2026-10-17.

Competing varieties

Varieties that occupy a similar space on the list or in guest perception.

Common mistakes

Listing Aglianico without a style cue.
Forgetting service temperature and glassware.
Treating all regions or producers as if they tasted the same.

Suggested pairings

Neapolitan ragù
Oven-roasted lamb
Large game
Well-aged cheeses
Pulse stews

Connected library

Explore related library entries

Connect this page with related grapes, regions, styles and pairings.

Full-Bodied RedConnected libraryRoast lambConnected libraryBeef tenderloinConnected libraryBlue cheeseConnected libraryPairing with Red MeatConnected libraryTaurasiConnected libraryCampaniaConnected libraryNebbioloConnected library

Related tools

Tools to put it into practice on your wine list.

Frequently asked questions

Keep exploring

All varietiesWine regionsWine LibraryWinerim CoreRequest demo

Bring Aglianico into your wine list with criteria

Winerim connects varieties, perception and commercial role to your wine-list management workflow.

Request demo