T'ara Ra Greco 2020
T'ara Ra Greco 2020
Made from greco, in Santa Paolina, in the Greco di Tufo appellation. One of the highest vineyards at 600 metres above sea level. The soils here are tufo, brimstone to be precise, with sulfur deposits. Four days maceration on skins, one year of ageing in chestnut botti. Great tannin and structure balanced by acidity, minerality and finesse. A monster!
At a Glance
- Origin: Campania, Italy
- Varietal & Type: Greco
- Vintage: 2020
- ABV: 11.5%
- Vineyard Soil: Tufo (volcanic tuff) with sulfur deposits
- USNW Classification: Natural
Tasting Notes & Pairing
- Profile: Salt, smoke, peachy yellow fruits with grippy tannins. Complex and savoury with firm structure from 4-day skin maceration. Deep minerality from 600m altitude vineyards.
- Food Pairing: Shellfish, vegetarian dishes, appetizers, aged cheeses.
- Serving Temp: 50-55°F (Lightly chilled)
About the Winemaker
Cantina Giardino, based in Ariano Irpino in Campania's rugged mountainous Irpinia, is today one of the most beloved natural wineries in the world and an object of veneration in enlightened markets like Japan. What began in the late 1990s as a garage vinification passion project now comprises about 7 hectares at high elevation, run by Daniela De Gruttola and Antonio Di Gruttola.
Having witnessed the devastation inflicted on their land by industrial farming and conventional viticulture—which ripped out old local vines to plant chemically-farmed international varieties—Daniela and Antonio decided to do something about it. They sought out old parcels of indigenous grapes like Aglianico, Greco, Fiano, and Coda di Volpe, renting and acquiring them from elderly farmers who had always worked naturally. Their mission goes beyond making outstanding wine: it aims to revive a cultural and winemaking tradition that was disappearing.
Farming & Cellar: The estate tends vines no younger than 50 years old, some reaching up to 100 years, spread over more than 20 parcels, all farmed organically. Wine is made super-naturally with wild fermentations and no added SO2—ever. They use containers honoring historical tradition: clay and grès amphoras, and traditional local woods including cherry, chestnut, and acacia. These are wines of soul, heart, spirit and flesh—always magnificent and titanic.
US Natural Wine ships once a week, every Wednesday. All orders should be placed by Tuesday at noon in order to be picked up from our distributors and out on Wednesday's delivery truck.
Shipping cost is 35 bucks a box (up to 12 bottles) so we highly encourage picking up more than 1 bottle for the best value! Remember, all orders over $200 get FREE SHIPPING!
At $35, shipping cost is on par with most wine ecommerce. Ultimately, we eat the cost of shipping more often than not because wine can be damn heavy. We can't thank you enough for your understanding!
