Tre Bicchieri 2024, the 5 best Falanghina wines from Sannio awarded by Gambero Rosso

Tre Bicchieri 2024. The 5 best Falanghina wines from Sannio

As we have already written, while we found a few flaws during the tastings of Campania wines for the Gambero Rosso Vini d’Italia 2024 guide, it is also true that the lights shine very brightly in the region. Some territories are gaining increasing attention: if the Campi Flegrei is a bet already won, we want to place our future bets on the sunny Mediterranean nature of Cilento and the volcanic influence of Vesuvius, both districts that will be in the spotlight in the near future. Sannio is also experiencing a great moment: as usual, they rely on Falanghina to stand out in the regional and national wine scene. Along with Aglianico, it is probably the oldest Campania grape variety strongly tied to the regional agricultural tradition. However, its widespread cultivation, a sort of revival, occurred around the 1970s.

Over the centuries, two genetically different types of Falanghina evolved in Campania. One is from the Campi Flegrei, and its revival is credited to the Martusciello family, who rediscovered some century-old free-standing vines cultivated on the slopes of Lake Averno.

The other one is from Sannio, much more widespread. This variety is believed to be originally from Bonea and was rediscovered by Leonardo Mustilli. Over the centuries, the two varieties adapted to the respective territories in which they were found, and the difference is still evident in the wine: saltiness and mineral notes in the Campi Flegrei variety, and acidity and structure in the Sannio variety, for which we awarded a total of 5 labels.