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Dried cherry, cranberry, blood orange, plum, spicy chocolate and thyme.

Taurasi is a town in Campania, the province that is home to the gorgeous island of Capri, the spectacular Amalfi Coast, and of course, Pompeii. It’s mountainous, hot and dry with volcanic soils which suit the ancient Aglianico grape perfectly. If yields are kept low, the wines produced from Aglianico are full-bodied, age-able, and can rival Piedmont’s Barolo and Tuscany’s Brunello in power and class. Vinosia is young project founded by Mario and Luciano Ercolino, whose family own Feudi di San Gregorio, where Mario was formerly the head winemaker. The winery is located in the township of Carazita in a village called Luogosano (meaning “healthy place”). Mario oversees the winemaking process with the highest level of precision and care, while Luciano manages marketing and distribution. Together, they are dedicated to expressing the potential and character of the region’s wines by putting a modern spin on native varieties like Aglianico.

Aglianico is a quintessential meat-lover’s wine, though fans of less hearty fare will find plenty of foods that pair well with it, too. Thanks to its smoky notes and dry, savory palate, this is a terrific wine for grilled foods. While beef is always an excellent choice, this wine’s earthiness suggests lamb or game as an ideal partner; quail, duck, goose or pheasant will likewise provide the robust flavors and protein needed to smooth the grape's hearty structure. Italian-style braises and stews that marry meat with tomatoes, such as osso buco, will also work well, neutralizing the wine’s naturally high acidity. For an easy option, go with my Pepperoni, Macaroni and Cheese "Lasagna Style."

Pompeii was destroyed and completely buried during a long catastrophic eruption of the volcano Mount Vesuvius spanning two days in the year AD 79. The eruption buried Pompeii under 4 to 6 meters of ash and pumice, and it was lost for nearly 1700 years before its accidental rediscovery in 1749. Since then, its excavation has provided an extraordinarily detailed insight into the life of a city at the height of the Roman Empire.