In the direct heart of the Campania countryside, I Borboni is run by the Numeroso family. Nicola, the current generation, continues a long standing tradition by training the vines of I Borboni exactly how the Etruscans trained their vines - directly up the side of local poplar trees. With these vines often reaching 15 meters into the air, the job of the vineyard manager and harvest workers becomes incredibly difficult and dangerous as they climb narrow ladders often 18 meters high. In the 80’s, it was the government-incentivized removal of trees that threatened the Asprinio vines. Today, as a result of the negative environmental changes to our world, the weather is the most difficult to bear. It was a crushing blow to the family when a tropical storm leveled the oldest vineyard site in the area by means of intense winds, but Nicola presses on as dedicated locals have done for generations and continues to plant and tend to Asprinio with tradition. Asprinio, containing the word ‘aspro’, can be easily summed up by its name - astringent, sour and sharp, but I say this in a good way. Think of a beautiful brut nature, whose lack of any sign of sweetness leaves your palate puckering for more. Perfect on a hot sunny day and a fresh caprese salad.
