Citadelles du Vin is the Bordeaux competition, now at its 24th edition. As often happens with French channels, it is very popular on Asian markets and is therefore coveted by producers interested especially in those areas (read about the results here) and beyond.
In addition to being a judge, this year I had the pleasure of covering a role of great prestige and equally responsibility together with my colleague Simon Cassina: holding a master class on the focus area chosen this year, continental Southern Italy (i.e. islands excluded, for avoid confusion between too many differences). In fact, every year, Citadelles du Vin organizes an in-depth focus for the international judges of the competition by inviting an expert from that area for a guided lesson.
An overview that aroused even more curiosity than I expected. The questions on how to read the labels to be sure of the variety linked to the denomination, the differences between neighboring territories, the importance of volcanoes and the ability to read the fundamental traits of the vines selected to represent the different regions involved were just some of the insights .
Therefore, five regions are involved: Molise with its Tintilia, Campania with 2 very different whites such as Falanghina dei Campi Flegrei and Fiano di Avellino; Calabria with a white from Greco bianco; Puglia with a rosé from Primitivo and a red from Susumaniello; Basilicata with Aglianico del Vulture.
The success would not have been so obvious if not for the maximum quality of the selected references, so I am more than glad to congratulate the producers who took part and share some of the comments that emerged during the tasting with the prestigious international judges, guests of the competition:
zagarella
“Alfieri bianco” Calabria IGT 2023 – ZAGARELLA: immediate and fruity with a great balance and a dry pleasant finish which recall the several aromas
carputo
“Collina Viticella Falanghina dei Campi Flegrei DOC 2022 – CANTINE CARPUTO: a wine in line with its unique territory, a volcanic and solar land. Austere and vertical, the profile is enriched by a silky texture and the mineral quality
di meo
Fiano di Avellino DOCG 2022 – DI MEO: complex and penetrating nose for a rich and elegant profile outlined by a super balance and a precise concentration which supports the long finish as well as the interesting potential for ageing
aiello
“Chakra rosé” Puglia IGT 2023 – GIOVANNI AIELLO WINEMAKER PER AMORE: another wine that does not betray its Mediterranean origin; the bright color announces a tasty and full rosé, with a strong character and a hand-made label
tenute rubino
“Oltremé” Brindisi Susumaniello Rosso DOC 2020 – TENUTE RUBINO: delicious and round, it allows to discover a less obvious grape variety without any superstructures playing with winemaking and time
tenute martarosa
Tintilia del Molise rosso DOP 2021 – TENUTE MARTAROSA: a discovery for most of the guests that has struck for its ability to combine strong personality and enveloping approach; intriguing since the analysis on the nose for a strong and welcoming palate at the same time
elena fucci
“Titolo” Aglianico del Vulture DOC 2021 – ELENA FUCCI: a powerful but never aggressive wine, the rich and deep nose opens to a bodied, well defined palate with infinite potential. A deep wine able to precisely tell the magic combination between the local variety and its origins
