The Galardi Terra Di Lavora Red Wine Di Campania is a red wine blend of Aglianico and Piedirosso. Winemaker Riccardo Coterella created this amazing vintage, which earned him Wine Enthusiast‘s Winemaker of the Year.
The featured wine pairing of episode 75: Pairs with Galardi Red Wine Campania and The New Hamster
96 Points – James Suckling
95 Points – Antonio Galloni’s Vinous
Galardi cellar, home of Terra Di lavora
An enthusiastic group of dedicated cousins run Galardi Cellar, home of Terra Di Lavora. First, the tradition has been in their family for generations. Second, each one is committed to making Italian wines of the highest caliber. Combined, this is why the estate hired distinguished winemaker Riccardo Cotarella. You may recognize Cotarella as the winemaker for Sting and several other celebrity vintners. Together, Cotarella and the family work with native grapes like Aglianico and Piedirosso to create their delicious wines.
Galardi Cellar got its start in 1991, with a dream to revive the ancient tradition of Campania’s noble vines, like Aglianico and Piedirosso. These two varietals play a huge part in the Galardi winemaking tradition.
The terroir of Roccamonfina, Campania
The terroir of Roccamonfia, Campania, is defined by rocky, hillside vineyards that slope down towards the sea. The name for Terra di Lavoro—which translates to “Land of Work”—comes from the challenge of cultivating this terroir. In fact, Galardi only produces a few thousand bottles each year due to the low yields from this area. Because of this, winemaker Riccardo Cotarella takes advantage of low yields to enhance the flavor profile and structure of his wines.
More importantly, wine fans and critics alike saw the genius of Cotarella’s winemaking when the first Galardi vintage was released in 1994. As I’m sure you’ll experience, working with the terroir and not against it is the key to this wine’s amazing flavor profile.
Winemaking Notes
First and foremost, it’s the winemaking that makes this blend so incredible.
| WINEMAKER | Ricardo Cotarella |
| VARIETALS | 80% Aglianico, 20% Piedirosso |
| VINTAGE | 2017 |
| APPELLATION | Roccamonfina IGT, Campania |
| ALCOHOL | 14.5% |
| VINEYARDS | Vallemarina, Galardi, Gaeta, Vignadora |
| SOILS | Volcanic |
| ELEVATION | 1,485 feet |
| VINEYARD PLANTED | Before 1989 |
| YIELDS | 2 tons / acre |
| AGING | 12 months |
| BARRELS | 70% new French oak |
