Falerno del Massico DOC [fah-LEHR-noh del MAHSS-see-koh]
Falernian (or Falernum), the most acclaimed wine of ancient Rome, was produced along the northern coast of the Campania region near Mondragone. Today in that same area (which is northwest of Naples), the modern DOC of Falerno del Massico produces bianco made from the Falanghina grape and rosso, which is made primarily from Aglianico and Piedirosso, although small amounts of Primitivo (see Zinfandel) and Barbera can be added. In addition, there is a Primitivo varietal wine that must contain at least 85 percent Primitivo. Today’s wines are promising, but they have little connection to the highly regarded Falernian of Roman times.
The New Wine Lovers Companion, 2nd Edition, by Ron Herbst and Sharon Tyler Herbst. Copyright © (1) 2003, 1995 by Ron Herbst and Sharon Tyler Herbst. Reprinted by arrangement with Barron's Educational Series, Inc.