Francesca Fiasco Ersa Paestum Rosso IGP – 2019

Francesca Fiasco is a highly accomplished young lady, who is fiercely proud of her origins and local cultures. She took over her grandparents’ vineyards near Felitto in the beautiful Cilento National Park – about 20kms inland from the ancient Greek ruins of Paestum on the Salento coast – almost 10 years ago. She then singlehandedly built a new winery, using only local stone so it blends easily with the local scenery, and produced her first vintage of wines under her personal winery name in 2016.

Her vineyards are situated in the hills at 250-450ms altitude, so there is usually a cooling breeze in the summer. The soils are mainly clay and limestone which are excellent for water retention – an important attribute for the long hot summers in this part of the world. She farms her vines organically – a mix of the local red Aglianico grape from 50-70 year old vines, together with some Cabernet Sauvignon, Barbera and other local varieties.

This is a blend of 30% Aglianico, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Barbera and the balance local red grapes from the Cilento. It was matured for two years in French barrels, 20% new.

Ruby red in colour with hints of garnet. On the nose, this has multiple aromas of wild red fruits, tobacco, spice and herbs. On the palate it is unmistakably southern Italian! Ripe, slightly bitter red cherry fruit mingles with notes of cigar tobacco, spice and licorice. The wine has fresh acidity and firm tannins, but the use of Cabernet Sauvignon in the blend gently softens the tannins and gives appealing weight to the fruit. 13% alcohol

Enjoy with meat-topped pizza, grilled meat or Buffalo mozzarella

660 cases were produced. Drink now – 2027