The 2nd stop on the scooter express- Atripalda Avellino. This town is home to one of the biggest and most well know wineries in Italy, Mastroberardino. It was a last minute appointment and I am glad we were able to check it out. It was a drastic difference from the small, quiet cellar of I Favati. There was a PR person involved and then an export director, Stephan, giving us a tour. But, it is a well-oiled machine that produces consistently good wine. Does it have the soul, the originality or the inherent happiness of an I Favati wine? No. But, it is great nonetheless.
Christina and Stephan stand before one of several 250-300 hectolitre tanks.
During our tour of the facilities, Stephan thought it would be fun to dip down into Mastroberardino’s private cellar. Brilliant idea Stephan! It was a veritable museum of Aglianicos from the past 80 years. I could imagine big hotshot Italian government officials smoking and sipping on some 1934 Taurasi until the wee hours of the morning. Stephan said no one ever drinks down there. I would like to think he is lying to us.
After drooling over wine of ages past, we headed up to the (yet again, private) tasting room. Well, lounge really. Complete with a library and fireplace. We got to to taste 6 wines, all typical of the region. A Greco di Tufo, a Falanghina, a Fiano, 2 Aglianico’s and a 1999 Taurasi Riserva (aglianico). Of course, the ’99 was our favorite by far.
We had to jump back on the scooter to head to our final destination of the day, Tufo to see Gabriella of Benito Ferrara.
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Your blog is fabulous! And so the journey begins… Keep ‘em coming!
Non dimenticare la casca e buona bevuta!
-Adrian
oh snap…I’ve only had as far back as the 2000 MastroB Taurasi riserva:-)
I,m came from campania in especially Irpinia …..
I Saw on pc your tour about cellar and I’m glad that you love italian wine……I’m a wine lover and i want write with you i can write the npotice about the wine if you want…..buy see you soon
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