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Falanghina
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Classification: IGP (Indicazione Geografica Protetta-Protected Geographical Indication)
Colour: straw yellow with greenish tints
Region of production: Campania (Campi Flegrei and Sannio)
Minimum alcohol content: 12-12.5%
Species of grape used: Pure Falanghina |
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THE VINE OF ROMANS AND SAMNITES |
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Falanghina is an ancient species of grape, which was already familiar to the Samnites and Romans who prized it and also called it Falernina, due to its diffusion throughout the "Falernus Ager". It was probably Roman merchants who brought this grape from Greece to Italy, spreading its cultivation throughout the centre and South. It owes its Latin name to the word "phalange", namely "tied to the pole", describing the ancient system of cultivation used to make the vines grow.
Firm reports on the vine are more recent and date back to 1825, when Falanghina was mentioned in a treaty as being one of the best Samnite-origin grape species. Later on, in the Thirties, a group of oenologists were to crown Falanghina as one of the best Italian grape species, to the extent that they recommended its diffusion in order to improve production in the South's main wine producing areas.
Today, Falanghina is experiencing a moment of renewed success thanks to a policy of rediscovery and enhancement of historical and regional grape species.
Falanghina is currently widespread throughout Campania, where it is used for making the homonymous wine and in many DOC wines (Denominazione di Origine Controllata -Controlled Denomination of Origin), both in its pure form (such as the Campi Flegrei Falanghina, Sant'Agata dei Goti Falanghina and Taburno Falanghina wines), as well as together with other white grapes (such as for Capri white wines, Costa d'Amalfi white and Falerno del Massico white wine).
Its ideal habitat is on the island of Procida, in the Campi Flegrei area and in the Sannio.
The vine matures in the second half of September and is generally harvested at the start of October. It is averagely productive, vigorous, not particularly homogenous and requires a warm and dry climate. It has a robust stump with medium-length vine shoots that are rather weak and not very ramous, whilst the leaf is average size, trifoliate and cuneiform, almost whole, with a light-green colour and a downy underside. The bunch is long, like a truncated cone, averagely compact and alated; the seeds are small and spherical, grey-yellow in colour with a thick and often pruinose skin, and the crunchy flesh is sweet and sharp.
Falanghina is a white wine with a delicate nose, with hints of broom, whilst it is full-bodied, fresh and pleasant on the palate. It has good acidity and fine, delicate, fruity notes. It has a broad and pleasantly bitter aftertaste that recalls the pomegranate.
It can be drunk with grilled or fried fish, with pasta dishes with seafood or vegetable and tomato sauces; it happily accompanies the most traditional recipes from the Campania region, such as "paccari napoletani". It is excellent served as an aperitif at a temperature of 10_ C.
A "Regional Fair" dedicated to Falanghina is held in the municipality of Sant'Agata dei Goti each year at the end of September, during which the many wines produced in Campania with Falanghina grapes are presented. As well as the wine growers, consumers are also invited, as well as restaurateurs, food and wine experts, oenologists and specialist journalists who can participate in the conventions and guided tastings.
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