Contrada Campania
The Contrada family property is located in the Irpinia area of Avellino in the heart of the Fiano di Avellino zone.
Gerardo Contrada is one of nine children and he is the winemaker and manager of this estate. Contrada uses both estate grown fruit for his Fiano and also sources grapes for some of his other wines. It was only in 2003 that the family started making wine to sell commercially but in a short time they have made a name for themselves with the care and quality at all price points in both red and white indigenous varietals.
The annual production is about 50k bottles.
- The Wines
-
Irpinia Aglianico
. . . . . . . . . . . . >
The Contrada family has been making wine and growing grapes in the Candida area of Irpinia in Campania for generations. After selling off their grapes to some of the biggest names in the wine business for years in 2003 they decided to produce their own wine. Quite quickly their reputation for making exceptional wines using modern techniques in a traditional manner grew and within 10 years they won the renowned Gambero Rosso Tre Bicchieri award.
Organic practicing and natural, their hands off approach gives each selection a true expression of the terroir in this area.
The Irpinia Aglianico is grown within the Taurasi zone. The soils are calcareous - a combo of clay and chalky white. The vineyards sit at almost 600 asl. The vines are between 10-20 years old.
After a long maceration on the skins at controlled temperature the wine is vinified in barrel and aged for 12 months in oak barrels that are 3rd or 4th passage. It then spends up to 18 months in bottle before it is released.
Earthy and full bodied, complex and intense the nose offers notes of tobacco, cherry, violet and balsamic notes. The palate offers structure and persistence with red fruits, mint and warm spices.
Tech Sheet...
Shelftalkers... -
Taurasi 'Hirpus'
. . . . . . . . . . . . >
100% Aglianico vines grown in the Taurasi DOCG in the Castelfranci and Poppano vineyards on chalky clay soil at altitudes over 1600ft asl.
20 years old vines
3500 vines per hectare. Hand harvested in the beginning of November with long maceration on the skins at controlled temps.
18 months aged in combo of French barriques and large Slavonian oak barrels and a minimum of 12 months in bottle.
Aromas of red berries, tobacco, cherry, violets and balsam spice.
On the palate it is full, elegant and persistent with distinct notes of plum, bitter cherry, strawberry jam, black pepper and leather.
Tech Sheet...
Shelftalkers... -
Fiano di Avellino 'Cru'
. . . . . . . . . . . . >100% Fiano di Avellino Contrada's flagship wine that is grown on their property and comes from a single vineyard. 20 -30 year old vines grown on sandy soil rich in minerals this wine receives a very long hang time and manual harvesting commences in the 2nd week of October. This wine is vinified in stainless steel and then spends up to 4 months in the bottle before it is released.
Tech Sheet...
Shelftalkers... -
Fiano di Avellino 'Selvecorte'
. . . . . . . . . . . . >
2014 Gambero Rosso 'Tre Bicchieri' winner 100% Fiano di Avellino The Contrada family started their commercial enterprise in 2003 after selling their grapes for many years in bulk. Their vineyards were restructured and according to the most scrupulous farming techniques that includes a production style that provides minimal environmental impact. The vineyards are located within the Fiano di Avellino DOCG in the town of Candida. The grapes for this wine come from 20 year old vines and lay at over 1600 ft above sea level with south east exposure. The soils are calcareous. The grapes get a long hang time and hand harvesting begins in the second week of October. Yields are about 7000 kilos and vines per hectare are 3500. The wine is then vinified in stainless steel tanks and rests for 3-4 months in the bottle. Straw yellow color and aromas of white flower, citrus peel and honey. Strong minerality on the palate lead to flavors of apricot, orange peel and a long finish of toasted hazelnuts which is typical of this varietal.
Tech Sheet...
Shelftalkers...
