Springtime in Campania: A Blend of Gastronomy and Music

Spring in Campania starts under the sign of the combination of gastronomy and music, with seven free events hosted from April 5 to 28 in as many "young" wineries in the provinces of Avellino, Benevento, Caserta, and Salerno, which include guided tours, tastings, and concerts of folk music. "Emerging Wineries" is the project planned and financed by the Campania Region (POC funds 2014-2020), implemented by Scabec with the artistic direction of Stefano Piccolo, aimed at territorial enhancement by supporting recently opened wineries (from 2 to 6 years) in starting their activities. A unique opportunity to discover lesser-known places in Campania but rich in charm, taste Campanian wines, and enjoy the beauty of wineries that, although "very young", carry on a centuries-old winemaking tradition. The "Emerging Wineries" tour will make stops in San Marcellino (CE), Solopaca (BN), Montemarano (AV), Alife (CE), Castelvetere sul Calore (AV), Castelvenere (BN), and Baronissi (SA). Each appointment will be accompanied by the music of the Tammurrianti World Project. The journey begins on Friday, April 5, at 7 pm in San Marcellino (CE) with a fascinating trip to the Altocampo Cave, a typical hypogeum characteristic of some areas of Campania where the presence in the subsoil of volcanic tuff is widespread. In the cave - used as a cellar for food preservation and wine production, where the fermentation of musts was ensured by constant temperature and humidity (guaranteed by the "mountain eyes" that function as aeration systems), silence, and darkness - it will be possible to taste Asprinio, paired with platters of local cold cuts and cheeses. The journey continues on Sunday, April 7, at 10:30 am, in the De Liso Wineries of Solopaca (BN), a place renowned for the production of Aglianico and Falanghina DOP. Campania indeed boasts a winemaking tradition of ancient origin and a territory among the first centers in the world for settlement, cultivation, and study of the vine. The tasting will focus precisely on these two prestigious wines, paired with platters of cold cuts and cheeses. The vineyards of Montemarano (AV), composed of Fiano, Coda di Volpe, and Aglianico grapes, will be the protagonists of the third appointment scheduled for Sunday, April 14, at 10:30 am, at the Cantina San Giovanni a Doglie, a company that was born following the ideals of great experience and respect for the ancient traditions of the Molettieri family, for generations expert wine grape producers. It will be possible to taste three types of wines (Rosato Irpinia, Campi Taurasini, and Aglianico Irpinia), platters of typical Irpinian cold cuts and cheeses, during the performance of tarantella dancers. Three rounds of guided tours are scheduled at Rèn Wine in Alife, in the Alto Casertano - at the foot of the Matese massif - on Saturday, April 20, starting at 10:30 am, 11:30 am, and 12:30 pm. Its vineyards are planted in the San Michele area, in a hilly area already dear to the Bourbon royals for the cultivation of their grapes. In addition to the tasting of three types of wine (Bianco Campania IGT, Rosso Riserva, and Pallagrello 2023), visitors will be offered crostini, cheese platters, and one of the best local typical dishes: ciceri e tagliarielli. On Sunday, April 21, at 10:30 am, we return to the heart of Irpinia, to Castelvetere sul Calore (AV), to visit the Aminea Winery, a family-run company managed by two young sisters, Antonia and Imma, who grew up among the vines and the smell of must. The company extends over about 5 hectares of vineyard and produces only wines obtained from native grape varieties, Aglianico, Falanghina, Greco, and Fiano. For the guests, an entrée with a glass of sparkling wine is planned to accompany finger food, Fiano di Avellino, and Irpinia Aglianico reserve paired with focaccias and salamis from the Irpinian tradition. The Scompiglio Agricultural Company in Castelvenere (BN) will host on Friday, April 26, at 7:00 pm, the penultimate appointment of "Emerging Wineries". A young and dynamic reality that operates with the latest generation equipment for environmental protection, the winery will offer two types of wine, a white Falanghina IGP and a red Barbera del Sannio, paired with platters of local cold cuts and cheeses. The tour will conclude on Sunday, April 28, at 10:30 am, at the Guerritore Agricultural Company in Baronissi (SA), in the Irno valley, with a vineyard, at about 300 meters above sea level, extending for 6 hectares on a clayey/silty soil of volcanic origin and cultivated in Guyot. The experience of the guests, between guided tour and tasting of wines and typical products, will also conclude in this last stage (as well as in each other event) with the music of the Tammurrianti World Project, whose repertoire ranges in the immense heritage of the popular music of Southern Italy: tammurriate, tarantellas, and salterelli together with the original tracks proposed in their latest album, between rhythms masterfully executed with the drums of tradition played by the masters Michele Maione and Emidio Ausiello, creators of the project.