Description
The Sannio PDO is reserved for the following types of wine: White, Red, Rosé, Spumante, Spumante Metodo Classico and Novello; Rosé Spumante, Red Spumante, Red Spumante Metodo Classico, White Passito and Red Passito (the latter six only with specification 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.
Description of product typologies
Sannio PDO Bianco is straw-yellow, varying in intensity; the nose reveals fragrances of chamomile, straw, medlar and ripe apple; it is fresh on the palate, with an almondy finish. It can also be produced as a semi-sparkling wine. Sannio PDO Rosso is intense ruby red; the nose is reminiscent of ripe cherry, myrtle, pink pepper and coffee; it is warm and embracing on the palate, with soft tannins and a fruity, almondy finish. It can also be produced as a semi-sparkling wine. It can display Superiore and Riserva on the label; the latter 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 Rosato displays chromatic variety, ranging from soft pink to coral pink; 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 a semi-sparkling wine. Sannio PDO Spumante is bright straw-yellow with greenish or golden reflections and has a fine, persistent perlage; the nose is fragrant with intense aromas of 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 is intense straw-yellow with bright golden reflections and a fine, persistent perlage; it offers an intense bouquet revealing fruit and notes of bread crust and pastries; it is dry and harmonious on the palate, with good persistence. Sannio PDO Novello is bright crimson-red; the nose is vinous and fragrant with aromas of crunchy red fruit; it is lively, harmonious and fresh on the palate. The organoleptic properties of Sannio PDO wines with specification of grape variety 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 the bottle, 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 geographical sub-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, San Lorenzo 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 the 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 types 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 following grape variety specifications. From white grape varieties (incl. Passito, Spumante and Spumante di Qualità): min. 85% Coda di Volpe, Fiano, Greco, Moscato, pure or with the addition of similarly-coloured grapes originating from other grape varieties suitable for cultivation in the concerned area, max. 15%. From red grape varieties (incl. Passito, Spumante, Spumante di Qualità): min. 85% Aglianico (incl. Riserva, Rosé, Novello), Barbera, Piedirosso, Sciascinoso, pure or with the addition of similarly-coloured grapes originating from other grape varieties suitable for cultivation in the concerned area, max. 15%. From two red grape varieties (including Rosé): Aglianico-Piedirosso; the minority variety must represent 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, with or without a reference to a sub-area, must originate from grapes that have been dried, entirely or partially, on the vines or after the harvest until they ensure a minimum natural alcohol level of 16% vol. Passito wines cannot be released for consumption before June 1st of the year following that in which the grapes were harvested. Sannio PDO Aglianico Riserva wines, with or without a 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 the specification Vigna (Vineyard) with the relative toponym.
