Description
The Sannio PDO is reserved for the following typologies of wine: White, Red, Rosé, Spumante, Spumante Metodo Classico and Novello; Spumante Rosé, Red Spumante, Red Spumante Classico Method, White Passito and Red Passito (the latter six only with indication of grape variety). The Designation also incorporates numerous grape variety and geographical specifications.
Production Area
The production area of Sannio PDO is within the entire territory of the Province of Benevento, in the Campania region.
Blends
White (incl. Semi-Sparkling): min. 50% Trebbiano Toscano and/or Malvasia (Bianca di Candia), pure or with the addition of grape berries similar in colour and originating from other grape varieties suitable for cultivation in the concerned area, max. 50%.Red (incl. Semi-Sparkling, Superiore, Riserva), Rosé (incl. Semi-Sparkling), Novello: min. 50% Sangiovese, pure or with the addition of grape berries similar in colour and originating from other grape varieties suitable for cultivation in the concerned area, max. 50%.Spumante, Spumante di Qualità, Spumante di Qualità Metodo Classico: min. 70% Aglianico and/or Falanghina, pure or with the addition of grape berries similar in colour and originating from other grape varieties suitable for cultivation in the concerned area, max. 30%.
Description of product typologies
Sannio PDO Bianco is straw-yellow in colour, varying in intensity; the nose reveals fragrances of camomile, straw, medlar and ripe apple; it is fresh on the palate, with an almondy finish. It can also be produced as Semi-Sparkling wine.Sannio PDO Rosso has an intense ruby-red colour; the nose is reminiscent of ripe cherry, myrtle, pink pepper and coffee; it is warm and embracing on the palate, with smooth tannins and a fruity and almondy finish. It can also be produced as Semi-Sparkling wine. It can display Superiore and Riserva on the label; the latter one only if the wine has been aged for a mandatory period of at least 2 years, commencing November 1st of the year in which the grapes were produced. Sannio PDO Rosé displays chromatic variety, ranging from smooth to coral pink in colour; the nose reveals an intense bouquet, with fruity and floral hints; it is sapid, harmonious and pleasantly fresh on the palate. It can also be produced as Semi-Sparkling wine.Sannio PDO Spumante has a bright straw-yellow colour with greenish or golden highlights and a fine and persistent perlage; the nose is fragrant and intense with fruit and flowers; it is elegant, harmonious, fresh and pleasantly tart on the palate. It can also be produced as Spumante di Qualità. Sannio PDO Spumante di Qualità Metodo Classico has an intense straw-yellow colour, with bright golden highlights and a fine and persistent perlage; the nose is intense with fruit and notes of bread crust and pastries; it is dry and harmonious on the palate, with good persistence. Sannio PDO Novello has a bright crimson-red colour; the nose is vinous and fragrant with aromas of crunchy red fruit; it is lively, harmonious and fresh on the palate. Sannio PDO wines with indication of grape variety have the organoleptic characteristics that are typical of the grapes and terroir of origin.Sannio PDO Spumante di Qualità Metodo Classico wines, with or without a geographical specification, must be obtained through traditional secondary fermentation in bottles and must remain on the lees for at least 12 months, commencing November 15th of the year in which the grapes were harvested.
Geographical and sub-area specifications
The Sannio PDO can be accompanied by five sub-geographical designations: Sannio PDO Guardia Sanframondi or Guardiolo, incorporating the entire territory of the municipalities of Guardia Sanframondi, San Lorenzo Maggiore, San Lupo and Castelvenere in the Province of Benevento; Sannio PDO Sant’Agata dei Goti, incorporating the entire territory of the Municipality of Sant’Agata de’ Goti in the Province of Benevento; Sannio PDO Solopaca Classico (only for White, Red and Red Riserva wines), incorporating parts of the territory of the Municipality of Solopaca in the Province of Benevento; Sannio PDO Solopaca, incorporating the entire territory of the municipalities of Solopaca, Castelvenere, Guardia Sanframondi, SanLorenzo Maggiore and parts of the territory of the municipalities of Cerreto Sannita, Faicchio, Frasso Telesino, Melizzano, San Lorenzello, San Salvatore Telesino, Telese and Vitulano, all in the Province of Benevento; Sannio PDO Taburno incorporating the entire territory of the municipalities of Apollosa, Bonea, Campoli del Monte Taburno, Castelpoto, Foglianise, Montesarchio, Paupisi, Torrecuso and Ponte and parts of the territory of Benevento, Cautano, Vitulano and Tocco Caudio, all in the Province of Benevento. The Sannio PDO designation with specification of a sub-area – with the exception of Solopaca Classico as specified above - is reserved for White (incl. Semi- Sparkling), Red (incl. Semi-Sparkling, Novello, Superiore and Riserva), Rosé (incl. Semi-Sparkling), Spumante, Spumante di Qualità and Spumante Metodo Classico wines, as well as for all typologies of wine with specification of grape variety produced with typical grapes from the terroir of origin.
Grape variety specifications
The Sannio PDO may display the specifications of the following grape varieties. From white grape varieties (incl. Passito, Spumante and Spumante di Qualità): min. 85% Coda di Volpe, Fiano, Greco, Muscat, pure or with the addition of grape berries similar in colour and originating from other grape varieties suitable for cultivation in the concerned area, max. 15%. From red grape varieties (including Rosé): min. 85% Aglianico (incl. Riserva, Rosé, Novello), Barbera, Piedirosso, Sciascinoso, pure or with the addition of grape berries similar in colour and originating from other grape varieties suitable for cultivation in the concerned area, max. 15%.From red grape varieties (including Rosé): Aglianico-Piedirosso; the minority variety must be present at a minimum of 40%. The characteristics of the colour, fragrances and flavour of each specification are those typical of the grape variety and terroir of origin. Sannio PDO Passito wines, associated or not to the reference of a sub-area, must originate from grapes that have been dried, in whole or in part, on the vines or after the harvest; the drying must ensure a minimum natural alcohol level of 16%. The wine cannot be made available for consumption before June 1st of the year following that in which the grapes were produced. Sannio PDO Aglianico Riserva wines, with or without geographical specification, must have been aged for a mandatory period of 2 years, commencing November 1st of the year in which the grapes were harvested.
Additional specifications
The Sannio PDO designation can be followed by Vigna (Vineyard) with the relative toponym.
