This is a period full of interesting events here in Italy so, while I was at Ciliegiolo d’Italia on May 19 and 20, another event was going on in Irpinia: Ciak Irpinia, the kermesse focused on this amazing and well-known wine area of inland Campania region, southern Italy.

In the past days many info, photos and impressions have been already shared by the organizers and those who attended the event in person but I have now collected all the useful info about one of the most important discussion faced on this occasion to be kept for long: the mean features of the 2 vintages presented on this edition, meaning the 2 vintages now available basing on the local wine regulations: 2014 for the reds and 2017 for the whites.

Ciak Irpinia – VINTAGE 2017:

characterized by spring frosts in April and drought in summer but, the local grapes, being perfectly in balance with the local conditions, have survived and kept the main typical features, especially a great balance between maturation and acidity. Here in Irpinia, in winter there is a high level of rainfall and also snowfall and so, thanks to the clay composition of the soils, the vines have always a good water reserve.

As explained by the professor and enologist Moio: this special balance between grape and terroir is exactly the Italian added value: the several local grapes grown in each special territory of origin make them unique but also more resistant to the climate condition guaranteeing a more constant level of quality over time.

Ciak Irpinia – VINTAGE 2014:

this vintage has been more difficult as characterized by temperatures under the average and a high level of rainfalls but since the local grapes are characterized by late ripening, even in these conditions benefit from keeping (quite) good level of acidity and flavours.