2023 Elena Fucci Verha Basilicata IGT (Aglianico)

Elena Fucci stepped in to take over the family's vineyards in 2000. It was a last minute decision, but clearly the right one as Fucci's wines rank as some of the most sought after Aglianco del Vulture. Red wines from this region are intense and need significant bottle age before they begin to show their full potential. "Verha" is Fucci's low abv, light, low tannin (yes, a low tannin aglianico!), chillable response to Aglianico's otherwise beefy nature. From her younger vines, spontaneously fermented in stainless steel, this wine is a fresh new take and we absolutely adore it.

"Verha" means Vino in local dialect.

From the volcanic Vulture region in Basilicata:

The communes closer to the volcano’s peaks have more volcanic tuff (compacted ash) composition as well as more volcanic material in general (pumice/volcanic rock, tephra--all fragments of pyroclastic material ejected by an eruption, including ash--and lava flow deposits).

The areas of Maschito and Venosa were once covered by a large lake, so the soils are of ancient lake deposits (gravel, sand, and tufa - a porous limestone rock/deposit that is often found near hot springs). Volcanic material is still of course present in these zones, just to a lesser extent than the other zones. Maschito is unique in that it has some red soils, which suggest higher iron content.

Being a mountain with varying slopes and elevations, different areas will have different lengths of sun exposure and altitude heights, both of which immensely influence grape growing. Despite soil composition, a wine made from a high altitude will typically result in higher acid.

The producers and experts have been hard at work to understand the Vulture zone and define its soil types as well as the various historical cru (though, it is a touchy subject once we start telling one producer their growing zone is inferior to others). Due to such perseverance, the area has experienced a resurgence in quality winemaking and export and it no longer stands in the shadows of its Campanian counterparts. It most certainly should hold a place on any Italian wine list.