06 Mar Please The Palate Wine of the Week: San Salvatore 1988 2021 Ceraso IGP Campania Aglianico

Aglianico is called “The Barolo of the South” because it produces highly refined, complex fine wines like the famous wine from Piedmont. However, often Barolo needs time to age and the wines can be costly. On the other hand, the San Salvatore 1988 2021 Ceraso IGP Campania Aglianico is ready to drink and retails for only $27. A refined and complex wine at an affordable price, the San Salvatore 1988 2021 Ceraso IGP Campania Aglianico is the Please The Palate wine of the week.

About San Salvatore 1988

San Salvatore 1988 is located south of the Amalfi coast in the heart of the Cilento National Park, near Paestum, Stio, and Giungano, in the Campania region of southern Italy. It is owned by Giuseppe Pagano, a successful entrepreneur and hotelier in the Paestum region of Campania. This area is well known for its Buffalo Mozzarella and, in addition to owning hotels, Giuseppe purchased cows to produce milk. But selling milk is not very profitable so Giuseppe began to make Buffalo Mozzarella in 2004. Today he has 550 water buffalo and a successful business.

In 2006, Giuseppe created San Salvatore 1988. He dedicated the winery to his father Salvatore, and also named the winery for his firstborn son, Salvatore, who was born in 1988. In addition, the 19th of March is Father’s Day in Italy and the 88 are symbols of infinity.

With 370 acres devoted to organically farmed agriculture, including vineyards, olive groves, and crops that support their 550 head of water buffalo, San Salvatore is one of Italy’s most environmentally-conscious azienda agricolas. There is no use of synthetic products or herbicides. Biodynamic and organic practices are utilized and the winery is a completely closed circle of sustainability. They supply their own power needs with an onsite photovoltaic plant and a biodigester and are reducing their carbon footprint and emissions through innovative processes.

Tasting Notes

The San Salvatore 1988 2021 Ceraso IGP Campania Aglianico is made from 100% Aglianico from San Salvatore’s Cannito vineyards. The grapes are hand-harvested, softly pressed, and fermented in stainless steel tanks and then aged for another 8 months in stainless steel tanks. The resulting wine is a ruby red color. It is full-bodied and vibrantly fresh with aromas of black cherry, blackberry, plum, white pepper, and spice. On the palate, the wine has elegant, smooth tannins and fresh acidity.

Food Pairing

I enjoyed this wine with a homemade Tortano made by Chef Sal Marino of Marino Ristorante. A Tortano, also called Casatiello, is a typical Easter dish. It is bread made of pizza dough stuffed with ham, salami, and cheese. The young, fresh Aglianco was a perfect pairing with this savory bread.

Where to Purchase

The San Salvatore 1988 2021 Ceraso IGP Campania Aglianico retails for $27 and can be purchased from retailers across the US. To find a store near you, visit wine-searcher.com.