October 4th – We are at Cellole, in Campania, in the heart of the Ager Falernus of ancient times. Giving us an overview of the 2021 vintage at Villa Matilde Avallone is Salvatore Avallone, owner of the company with his sister, Maria Ida Avallone: “The period when we harvest is still that of before global warming, so most of our grapes still haven’t been picked. However, at Villa Matilde Avallone, the signs of an excellent vintage are all there.”
In Campania, from a meteorological point of view, spring was cool: temperatures remained below the average for the last 30 years until mid-June. Summer proceeded with moderate temperatures, apart from a few muggy days. Rain was virtually absent, until the heavens opened at the end of September, in the shape of some tremendous thunderstorms. However, explains Salvatore Avallone, “our hard work in the vineyard and the weather conditions we have had up until now are favoring a well-balanced vegetative/production cycle. Also,” he underlines, “the situation has been pretty straightforward as regards dealing with parasites and diseases of the vines”.
The prospects for the 2021 vintage are therefore good, thanks also to carrying out avant-garde agricultural practices that are focused on respect for the environment: the company’s general direction is towards that of organic farming. Since 2009, in fact, it has launched “Emissioni Zero” a wide ranging project aimed at environmental sustainability, with the goal of gradually eliminating emissions of greenhouse gases and producing wine in an ecologically compatible manner. “
The grapes are splendid,” the owner continues. “We are finding a good ratio between sugars and acidity in the fruit. We have already harvested the Aglianico that we will use for the base wines for our Mata Rosé sparkling wine.” These are grown together with Piedirosso and Falanghina grapes at the company’s San Castrese and Parco Nuovo holdings, on the slopes of the extinct volcano of Roccamonfina. Here, a unique terroir has been created due to the nature of the soil, with its marine and saline elements, and the fact that these areas are protected from aggressive winds and cold by the chain of mountains.
“On the other hand, we will have to wait another 15 days or so for the Greco di Tufo and Fiano di Avellino grapes from Tenuta di Pietrafusa. Here though, before picking the Aglianico, we will wait until the last ten days in October”. This is because this property, with more than 25 hectares under vine, is quite different in terms of altitude and exposition.
Given the large number of hectares and the various exposures of the vineyards, precise and assiduous sampling is carried out, plot by plot. Also, in certain vineyards harvesting is performed at night, in order to preserve better the grapes’ aromatic qualities and maintain intact their typical aromas and flavors.
“As regards quantity and quality, we are substantially in line with our company’s goals,” Salvatore Avallone concludes, “but only the wine in the glass will definitely confirm that.”
