Melgab International CC

Tradition is of value only in so far as it imparts an obligation of coherence and credibility in the taking of the decisions that may from time to time be asked anyone involved in the pursuit of excellence.

The Mastroberardino family has been immersed in the culture and society of winemaking for around three centuries. The most authoritative reports suggest that one Berardino, taking the professional title 'Mastro' - master craftsman - began the lineage in the seventeen hundreds. Once it had chosen its headquarters in Atripalda in the heart of the Irpinia winemaking region^?, still the site of the ancient cellars, the family inextricably linked its fate to the cult of wine.

Since then, ten generations have run the business, seeing periods both of expansion and of difficulty, recurring circumstances in the history of family business’ of ancient origin.

100% Greco.

The family has well deserved its Mastroberardino s.p.a. recognition for the rescue and relaunch of the ancient Greco vine, which was close to extinction, and also the delineation of its growing area, and its single-variety vinification^?. Made from rigorously selected grapes, Novaserra, which has now become a classic, has unprecedented organoleptic^? complexity^?. The label features detail from a painting by De Rosa, which can be found in their cellars.

The Mastroberardino family's holdings are spread across several parts of Irpinia, in the areas which have historically proved to be the centres of production of the great wines of the region^?: Montefusco, Petruro Irpino, Santa Paolina, and Tufo, in the production area of Greco di Tufo DOC^?; Lapio, Manocalzati, and Santo Stefano del Sole^?, for Fiano di Avellino DOC; Lapio, Montemarano, and Pietradefusi, for Taurasi DOCG^?.

In recognition of the role played in the protection of the viticultural and oenological heritage of the Roman age, the 'Soprintendenza Archaeologica' of Pompei has entrusted the family with the management of the sites which were used as vineyards in the ancient city. The idea was to replant them with the same, historic vines which, then as now, epitomised the area's winemaking tradition.

Chalky clay soil. Guyot^? training system. Harvested during mid October. Yield^? per hectare^? 7000 Kg.

Bottle refining 3 - 4 months.

Colour: Intense^? straw yellow.
Bouquet^?: Prominent apricot^?, pear, peach^?, almond, apple^? fruit, freshly cut hay and fern notes
Palate^?: Noteworthy for its excellent acidity^? and smoothness, to a characteristic background of bitter almond.

Serving temperature: 10 - 12°C.

2006 Gambero Rosso^? on Mastroberardino

How long ago it seems when we felt we had to retrace the rebirth of Irpinian wine when talking about Mastroberardino. The history of glories is there, and no one can gainsay it, but now what grabs attention is the qualitative upturn that has taken the winery^? right back to the top of the national tree in a couple of years. This is mainly down to Piero Mastroberardino, who's been in charge of the estate^? for several years now, and to Vincenzo Mercurio.
 
This young, skilled oenologist joined the team in 2002 and immediately saw how to manoeuvre perfectly between the need to kick-start production and the desire to remain faithful to tradition. If you need proof^?, just look at the styles of the two Taurasi finalists. Radici '01 symbolizes the new course to perfection.
 
It's an appealing, open wine, focused to great effect on ringingly clean^? fruitiness and a tight^?-knit, evolved tannic^? weave. Radici Riserva^? '99 is history perpetuated and advanced: a proudly austere^? and juicily acidic glass of wine. This time the stylistic battle went in favour of the former, which won Three Glasses, but this certainly doesn't man that the war is over.
 
Three Glasses also went to a fantastic Greco di Tufo Novaserra '04, from one of the best vineyards in Montefusco, a sunny, classy wine full of minerality.

The basic Greco di Tufo, also from '04, is another fabulous glassful, but just a touch less complex^?. And what can we say about Fiano di Avellino Radici? Its minerality is divine but it's merely a little too young. A showing like this will be difficult to repeat.

Alcohol^? content 13%.

Ideal for seafood and fish dishes of all complexities. Outstanding aperitif^? for discerning wine lovers.

Please don't hesitate to contact us for this or any other of your wine requirements.