Not only still wines but also two classic method sparkling wines and even a Grappa. When we talk of our production, many are surprised to hear that Cantine di Marzo does not limit itself to still Greco di Tufo and other DOC’s and DOCG’s.
The sense of surprise stays even when we explain why you should not consider these variants as secondary products compared to our excellent wines.
As for our still wines, it obviously starts with the regard we have for our most precious Greco di Tufo grapes from our noble and ancient vines. The Greco di Tufo Classic Method Sparkling Wines (of which one DOCG Riserva) and the Di Marzo Grappa are simply other means of honouring the extraordinary features of our natural ingredient.
Our motivations cause a certain confusion in people but as always, once tasted, doubts subside and surprise gives way to amazement. This is when the harshest of skeptics realizes, and becomes deeply convinced, that our sparkling wines and our Grappa are in no way second-rate products, compared to our famous wines, but rather a sophistication that tells a lot about our winery, its history and its values.
Many people know Cantine di Marzo, Tufo and Irpinia for being excellent producers of Greco di Tufo, Taurasi, Fiano di Avellino and Aglianico. But how many know that the first Classic Method Sparkling wine was actually first made by Cantine di Marzo in 1926 (nearly a century ago)?
And how many are aware that it was only in the 70’s with the introduction of single variety Grappa that people started to talk of premium Grappas?
In its nearly four centuries of existence, Cantine di Marzo has witnessed all key moments of Irpinia and Campania wine making.
Understandably, our history speaks for itself. We began in 1647 with the introduction of a new variety by Scipione di Marzo, and we are still here with Ferrante di Somma and Vincenzo Mercurio who contribute to the rebirth of this branch of activity through a Grappa and two Classic Method sparkling wines, of which one extra Brut DOCG Riserva and one Vino Spumante di Qualità Vintage Brut Nature.
What do Tufo, Irpinia and the French region of Champagne have in common? Apparently, nothing, except for an ancient wine making tradition focused on the growth and vinification of white grapes.
Once again history teaches us how, while being thousands of kilometers apart, our Classic Method Greco di Tufo sparkling wines and the well renowned Champagnes have much more in common than one might think.
This story too begins with a pandemic, this time Phylloxera, a parasite which, at the end of the nineteenth century, infested a very large part of French vineyards bringing French grape production to its knees. This production crisis intensified trade between the di Marzo estate and major European producers among which the French ones.
In those years, Cantine di Marzo not only exported its wine but imported know-how of refined Champagne methods of bottle re-fermentation. This is how in 1926, our historical winemaker Fiore Bottiglieri had the idea of producing the first Greco di Tufo based Classic Method Sparkling wine.
Today we produce two of them. Anni Venti, a Greco di Tufo Spumante DOCG Riserva Metodo Classico Extra Brut, whose name recalls the decade when it was first made, and 1930, the new Vintage Classic Method Sparkling wine dedicated to the memory of Filippo di Somma born in that year and who administered the winery until 2019.
The intuition to begin producing a Grappa di Greco di Tufo Cantine di Marzo is closely linked to our centuries-old awareness: the quality of the grapes we obtain from our vineyard is undisputed and indisputable, and it is our duty to work to avoid any possible waste.
For those of us who owe everything to the generosity of nature, fighting waste is a moral obligation, even more than a business opportunity or a necessity dictated by the emergency.
After all, our grandparents and all those who worked in the vineyard or cellar before us taught us: the pomace, once harvested and pressed, still has much to give and say.
With this Grappa di Greco di Tufo, we wanted to pay homage to the peasant culture, which is our culture, by putting its teachings to good use.
Waste only becomes waste when it can no longer be reused in any way.
DISCOVER OUR GRAPPA
The versatility of the Greco di Tufo variety is matched only by its quality. Regardless of what you make with these grapes., we know beforehand, with scientific certainty, that still wine, sparkling and Grappa, will have amazing features.
Pride, arrogance? Certainly not, only experience matured on the field in nearly 400 years of activity.
Single variety Grappa is a must when you are fortunate to work with such a precious grape variety. We owe all this to mother nature. I have the responsibility of giving shape to a project that answers the question I always ask myself: how can I help nature work its course?
Vincenzo Mercurio, winemaker at Cantine Di Marzo