Cilento is one of the most picturesque wine-growing areas in southern Campania, overlooking the Tyrrhenian Sea and characterised by a landscape of coastline, hills, Apennine ridges and inland valleys. The Cilento DOC designation covers a large area of the province of Salerno, stretching from Agropoli to Sapri, where viticulture takes place in environments that vary greatly in terms of altitude, aspect and ventilation.
The hilly and mountainous landscape, criss-crossed by numerous watercourses, favours a form of viticulture closely linked to the local topography. The soils are predominantly clayey and calcareous, often rich in marl and schist and characterised by a limited supply of organic matter: conditions that help to give the wines structure, balance and a distinctive territorial character. The proximity of the sea, the sunny aspect of the vineyards and natural ventilation accompany the ripening of the grapes, whilst the differences between coastal areas and inland regions broaden the variety of styles.
The DOC’s grape varieties include Aglianico, Fiano, Piedirosso, Primitivo, Sangiovese, Trebbiano Toscano, Greco and Malvasia Bianca. The wine types covered are Cilento Bianco, Rosato, Rosso, Aglianico and Fiano. The Bianco expresses freshness and harmony, with Fiano taking centre stage; the Rosato stands out for its balance and liveliness. The Rosso combines the structure of Aglianico with the contribution of Piedirosso and Primitivo, whilst the single-varietal versions highlight the personality of Aglianico and the aromatic finesse of Fiano.
The Cilento winemaking tradition has its roots in the Greek colonisation of Elea and Paestum. Over time, the ancient training systems have been supplemented by the Guyot and spurred cordon methods. Winemaking follows both traditional and modern practices, with limited maceration for the Rosé and a minimum ageing period for the Cilento Aglianico, designed to develop its body and complexity.
