Introduction to Falanghina
Falanghina is Campania's ancient, fragrant white grape. This guide covers its main zones, its two types, the best bottles and what to eat with it.
Falanghina is one of southern Italy's oldest white grapes. It is thought to be one of the grapes behind Falernian, the most famous wine of ancient Rome. Today Falanghina is enjoying a well-earned comeback as one of Campania's most versatile, food-friendly whites.
Its appeal is easy to see. It has bright citrus, floral notes (white flowers, elderflower) and a medium body. It is easy to drink but not simple. Serious wine lovers find plenty to enjoy, and so do people just discovering Italian whites. The best bottles, especially from the volcanic soils of the Campi Flegrei, become very complex and can age well for 5–8 years.
The Sannio DOC lies in the inland hills of Campania, around the province of Benevento. It is the largest and most important Falanghina zone. Its limestone and clay soils give wines with citrus fruit, floral freshness and good structure. "Falanghina del Sannio" may be the Falanghina you see most often outside Italy.
The Campi Flegrei ("Burning Fields") lie near Naples, on top of an active supervolcano. Falanghina from here is intensely mineral. The volcanic soils are rich in sulfur and pumice. They give the wine a smoky, salty character unlike wine from ordinary soils. Campi Flegrei Falanghina is firmer, more complex and longer-lived than Sannio Falanghina.
The Beneventana IGT covers Falanghina across the province of Benevento. It includes both DOC-level wines and freer, more personal wines from individual producers. It is a good place to look for interesting, good-value Falanghina.
These wines grow on the volcanic slopes of Mount Vesuvius near Naples. Like Campi Flegrei, they have a strong volcanic, mineral side, but the site gives them a different character. Very little is made, and most of it is drunk locally.
Scientists have confirmed what many producers long suspected. There are really two different grapes called Falanghina in Campania:
Both are excellent, and both are labeled simply "Falanghina". So the place of origin (Sannio or Campi Flegrei) is the best guide to which grape and style you are getting.
Falanghina was nearly extinct by the late 20th century. French and other international white grapes had taken over much of southern Italy as winemaking modernized. Its comeback is one of the great success stories of Italy's native grape movement. It was led by a handful of committed producers in Campania who saw its promise in the 1980s and 1990s.
The grape has:
- Medium-small, oval berries with thin, golden-yellow skins
- Aromas of white peach, apricot, citrus blossom, elderflower and fresh herbs
- Crisp natural acidity and a medium-to-full body
- A typical nutty, mineral finish (especially from volcanic soils)
- Good aging potential: 2–5 years for most wines, 5–10 years for the best volcanic ones
Falanghina is one of southern Italy's most versatile food wines:
Falanghina is one of three great native white grapes that make Campania one of Italy's most exciting white wine regions:
Together they make one of Italy's most distinctive white wine cultures.
Discover more of Campania's white wines, including Fiano di Avellino DOCG and Greco di Tufo DOCG.
Production rules and official information from the consortia of the wines in this guide: