Frascati Superiore

🇮🇹 Italy

DOCG

DOCG 2011 - Rome's white wine, Castelli Romani volcanic hills, Malvasia Puntinata flagship, La Dolce Vita generation icon, Renaissance papal wine

Region profile

History

Archaeological evidence shows grape cultivation 5,000+ years ago. Ancient Tusculum (now Frascati) cultivated wine grapes 5th century BC. Frascati preferred wine of ancient Rome. Renaissance period: grand villa construction brought tourists and elevated prestige. Pope Paul III (1534-1549) called Frascati "the nectar of Rome." La Dolce Vita generation (1960s) made Frascati symbol of Roman lifestyle. Grand Tour era (1700s-1800s) poets and artists celebrated local wines. DOC 1966 (one of Italy's earliest). 20th century mass production damaged reputation. Quality revival began 1990s. DOCG November 2011 elevated top wines, tightened production standards. Modern benchmark: Fontana Candida Vigneto Santa Teresa, Villa Simone Vigna Filonardi.

Climate
Mediterranean climate; Colli Albani volcanic hills 200-500m altitude; 25km southeast of Rome; volcanic soils from extinct Vulcano Laziale; Castelli Romani nine communes; 472 hectares DOC territory; cooling breezes from Tyrrhenian Sea; 1,400mm annual rainfall; well-drained volcanic tuff and peperino soils; north-facing slopes preserve acidity
Signature wines
Frascati Superiore DOCG (Fontana Candida Vigneto Santa Teresa - Malvasia Puntinata single vineyard; Villa Simone Vigna Filonardi - Piero Costantini's Enoteca owner; Poggio Le Volpi Epos Riserva; Castel de Paolis Vigna Adriana; Principe Pallavicini); straw yellow with green reflections; citrus (lemon, grapefruit), white flowers, almond; fresh acidity; volcanic mineral finish; 12-13% alcohol; pairs with Roman cuisine (carciofi alla giudia, supplì, pasta cacio e pepe)
What sets it apart
Rome's white wine for 2,000+ years; one of Italy's first DOCs (1966); La Dolce Vita generation icon; Pope Paul III's "nectar of Rome"; Castelli Romani volcanic terroir from extinct Vulcano Laziale; Malvasia Puntinata flagship (local Malvasia clone); 1,022 taverns documented Frascati town 1450; Grand Tour destination; three Lazio DOCGs from same area (Frascati Superiore, Cannellino, Cesanese); quality renaissance after mass-production damage; almond finish characteristic

Facts

  • DOC 1966 (one of Italy's first DOCs)
  • DOCG November 2011 (quality tier elevated)
  • 472 hectares DOC territory
  • 4.96 million liters production (2018)
  • Castelli Romani 14 towns including Frascati
  • Frascati town 1,022 taverns documented by 1450
  • Malvasia Puntinata ("spotted Malvasia") local name for Malvasia del Lazio
  • Bellone ancient Roman variety
  • volcanic soils from Vulcano Laziale
  • three separate Lazio DOCGs: Frascati Superiore, Cannellino di Frascati, Cesanese del Piglio
  • leading producers: Fontana Candida (Vigneto Santa Teresa), Villa Simone (Vigna Filonardi), Poggio Le Volpi (Epos Riserva), Castel de Paolis, Principe Pallavicini