Irpinia DOC dates from 2005 and is named after the extensive Irpinia region, a district of the Apennine Mountains, approximately today’s province of Avellino, in Campania, south Italy, about 36 miles (50 km) in  east of Naples. This hinterland was the territory of the ancient Hirpini tribe. The key figure in the Irpinia region’s recent winemaking success is winemaker Antonio Mastroberardino, a modern traditionalist.

Wines: Irpinia DOC Bianco is a dry still or sparkling white, 40-50% Greco, 40-50% Fiano, 0-20% other authorised varieties.). | Irpinia DOC Rosso is a red from 70-100% Aglianico and 0-30% other red varieties. It can also come in a ‘Novello’ form. Varietal wines include Aglianico (also passito and fortified wine), Coda di Volpe and Falanghina (also sparkling or spumante), Fiano and Greco (also sparkling and passito) and Sciascinoso. All these must contain at least 85% of the variety on the label, while the remaining 15% may consist of other authorized varieties of the same colour.

Terroir: Nutrient-rich volcanic soils (the last big eruption dates to 1944) make for potentially generous yields (the region was Italy’s most productive in the 1920s). 

Wineries

No certification: Di Meo Vini (Salza Irpinia). | Minetti Ornella (Santa Paolina).