Casavecchia

Grape variety	Casavecchia
Synonyms	Casavecchia di Pontelatone
Grape colour	Red grape
History	The Casavecchia grape is deeply rooted in Italian wine history, particularly in the Campania region. As per the legends, it owes its name to an 'old house' ruin where a single, ancient vine was discovered in the early 20th century. This vine, remarkably resilient, had survived the oidio and phylloxera epidemics that devastated European vineyards in the 18th century. The grape variety was rejuvenated through traditional propagation methods, such as cutting and layering, as described by the ancient Roman writer Columella. Although its exact origin remains uncertain, some historians link it to the Trebulanum wine praised by Pliny the Elder in his 'Naturalis Historia', which was produced in the vicinity of the modern Casavecchia production area. Today, the Casavecchia grape is primarily grown in the small area north of Caserta, including the communes of Pontelatone, Formicola, Castel di Sasso, and Liberi.
Ampelographic features	The Casavecchia vine is characterized by medium-sized to small leaves that are pentagonal or sometimes trilobed. The upper page of the leaf is glabrous and medium green, while the lower side is light green and shows medium to very pronounced veins. The reddish petiole forms a slightly open U-shaped breast. The flap protrudes at the petiole insert, appearing medium in bulk. The teeth along the leaf sides are straight-convex and medium in size. The grape clusters are medium to large, elongated and broad. The peduncle is visible, semi-woody. The grapes themselves are medium-sized, small and uniform, with an elliptical shape and a circular cross-section. The skin is thick, uniformly blue-black in color, and is highly waxy. The pulp is colorless, juicy, soft, with a neutral sweet flavor. The pedicel is medium and separates with some difficulty.
Characteristics of the wine	The wine produced from the Casavecchia grape exhibits a rich ruby color with a purple hue. Its aroma is a captivating blend of forest floor, plum, cherry, fresh grass, and spices. The wine is well-known for its excellent aging potential, further enhanced by oak maturation. Since 2002, the Casavecchia grape has had a prominent role in the Volturno IGT (Indicazione Geografica Tipica), a testament to its unique characteristics and the commitment of local winemakers to preserving this historic variety.