RARE GRAPE VARIETAL RESOURCE

History: A rare red grape variety found almost exclusively in southwest Italy near Caserta in Campania. According to popular legend, in the late 1800s, after a tremendous epidemic that destroyed most of the vineyards in the area, by an old house’s ruin a peasant found a vine stump still living and vigorous, henceforth called Casavecchia (“old house”) from which cuttings were taken and used to graft new vines. Today Casavecchia, with strong territorial connection and very poorly suited to other areas, is prized for its earthy, tannic red wines, with great structure, an intense red color and a notable predisposition for aging, so much so that it can only be truly appreciated and enhanced after aging in oak for 15-18 months and a subsequent aging in bottle for at least 4 or 5 years. It's believed that a Casavecchia wine made from the best grapes can easily age for 20 years or more.  

Casavecchia is often used in blends but local producers who want to raise the profile of the variety have been producing single-variety wines, which are finding favor with an international audience.

Casavecchia vines have low vigor and productivity, which is possibly the reason they have been forgotten for so long, only made into table wines by local farmers. However, a move toward quality has seen these traits become more highly prized. It has high levels of anthocyanins which give the wines deep color and strong but supple tannins, tending to be medium bodied and aromatic with aromas of dried herbs, black fruits and leather, with vegetal overtones.

Producers and conscientious scholars have inspired the recent efforts to safeguard and promote this variety.

(Courtesy of: https://www.wine-searcher.com/grape & https://www.quattrocalici.it/vitigni)

Recent genetic studies link it to pre-phylloxera varieties from the Campania basin, suggesting an indigenous and archaic origin, likely linked to the pre-Roman viticulture of the area. Said to have been identified with the grapes of Trebulanum wine enjoyed by Roman legionaries and mentioned by Pliny the Elder (23 A.D. – 79 A.D.) in the XIV book of the Naturalis Historia. It seems that the Trebulanum came from the Roman settlement of Trebula Balliensis, the current Treglia, a few kilometers from Liberi – one of the 9 communes where the grape is planted today, for the most part, in old vineyards, north of Caserta.

VIVC: https://www.vivc.de/index.php?r=passport%2Fview&id=22899

Parentage: Guarnaccia (false)& Malvasia Bianca di Candia

Tasting notes: Deep ruby color, with violet reflections when young and garnet with age. The bouquet is complex and varied, ranging from notes of wild berries ( blackberry, currant, plum)

to nuances of sweet spices ( cinnamon, black pepper), tobacco, leather, and roots. With aging, notes of licorice, balsamic, earth, and bitter cocoa emerge. (Courtesy of https://www.quattrocalici.it/vitigni )

Food pairings: Pairs perfectly with red meats, wild boar, braised meats, mature cheeses, and rich, traditional Campania dishes.

Production area: Casavecchia di Pontelatone DOC, Campania, Roccamonfina and Terre del Volturno IGT

Producers: https://www.autoctovino.com/grape/casavecchia-trebulanum/

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