Wine tours - Italy - Campania

Bianchini Rossetti: Drinking like an Emperor in the Heart of Campania

Some wine trips feel like a time machine. Recently, my passion for authentic wines took me to southern Italy, to the Bianchini Rossetti winery. Here, in the shadow of an ancient mega-volcano, I discovered the birthplace of the most legendary wine of antiquity: Falerno del Massico. It was a day filled with history, volcanic power, and a lunch that would make the gods jealous.

A Reception under the Tamarix

My journey began relaxed beneath a 600-year-old tamarix tree, where Tony Rossetti personally picked us up for a road trip through the vineyards. We found ourselves in the heart of Falerno del Massico DOP , an area steeped in history. Tony took us to a tiny church where, according to tradition, the apostle Peter stood 2,000 years ago. It immediately speaks volumes: here in Campania, every square meter is steeped in history.

Dancing on a Mega Volcano

The soil in which Bianchini Rossetti's grapes grow is unique. We were literally standing on the remains of a prehistoric mega-volcano, of which Vesuvius (famous for Naples and Pompeii) is just a small offshoot. This volcanic soil is the secret ingredient of the wines: it gives them an unprecedented minerality, tension, and a smoky edge found nowhere else.

Aglianico: The Black Gold of the South

The absolute star of the day was Aglianico . This grape is also called the "Barolo of the South," and rightly so. Originally brought to Italy by the Greeks, it became the basis for the famous Falernum wine, which even the Roman emperors raved about.

What makes Bianchini Rossetti's Aglianico so special?

• The character: Think deep notes of black cherries and plums, combined with wild herbs and a strong dose of minerality.

• The structure: The tannins are powerful and present. Just like the Romans, we know: patience is rewarded. These wines are built to age for years and only improve with age.

The Tasting: 7 Pearls of Campania

During an extensive tasting session, we tasted seven absolute gems. Some highlights:

• Saulo Bianco (Falanghina): Fresh, floral and the perfect translation of the volcanic terroir in white.

• Saulo Rosso Riserva: A powerful, layered wine that fully reveals the potential of Aglianico.

• Mille880 (Aglianico): Pure magic in a glass. A wine with enormous depth and a backbone of steel.

A Lunch Like Only Italians Can

No wine tour is complete without sampling the local cuisine. A chef friend of Tony's served the perfect Italian lunch under a blue sky: three types of artisan focaccia, the finest cheeses and charcuterie, and a crisp panzanella salad. And of course: the freshest buffalo mozzarella and smoked mozzarella I've ever tasted.

We paired this first with two styles of Falanghina (one tight and fresh, one with a light wood maturation) and finished with the big red guns, the Saulo Rosso and the impressive Mille880 .

Why should Bianchini Rossetti go to Breda?

At Passion for Wine Breda, we seek wines with soul. Tony, Francesco, and their team craft wines that pay homage to their ancestors, yet with the precision of today. These are "imperial" wines that vibrate with volcanic energy.