Irpinia is the name given to the area of Avellino province in the Campania region of Italy. Since 2005 it has had its own Irpinia DOC. Other wines made in Irpinia include three DOCGs, namely Fiano di Avellino DOCG and Greco di Tufo DOCG, both white, and Taurasi DOCG, a red. All three are based on indigenous grape varieties only.

Recent history: The key figure in the Irpinia region’s recent success is winemaker Antonio Mastroberardino, a modern traditionalist.

Climate: Cool climate for this far south.

Main grape varities: Aglianico (r). | Coda di Volpe Bianca (w). | Falanghina (w). | Fiano (w). | Greco Bianco (w). | Piedirosso or Per’e Palummo (r). | Sciasconoso or Olivella Nera (r).

Terroir: The high altitude Irpinia terrain is Campania’s most rugged, with two thirds hillsides (often woodland) and the rest mountainous. Well-exposed slopes. Soils of volcanic origin plus calcareous-clay. Wide day-night temperature variations. Long summer and ripening season.