At a glance

Producer

Clelia Romano (Colli di Lapio)

Region

Fiano di Avellino DOCG, Campania, Italy

Grape variety

Fiano

Wine type

White

Body

Light-bodied and Crisp

Sweetness

Dry

Typical price

$40-70 (USD, secondary market range)

Tasting profile

Salted almonds, citrus peel, chamomile, honeyed stone fruit, lanolin, savory herbs, volcanic minerality, and subtle oxidative complexity.

Evolution: Primary fruit has faded, yielding to tertiary notes of nuts, hay, beeswax, dried flowers, and earthy mineral tones.

At peak: At peak between 2015-2018, with expressive minerality and stone fruit; now delivering layered tertiary complexity favored by aficionados of aged Fiano.

Structure

Acidity

Medium-plus (retains freshness in good storage)

Tannins

None (white wine)

Alcohol

12.5-13.5% ABV (typical range for vintage)

Aging potential

Up to 12-15 years from vintage in optimal, cool cellar

Drinking window

Peak drinking

2015 to 2018

Optimal window

2013 to 2020

Current status

Late optimal but still sound when well-stored

Current condition

Mature, tertiary development, high note complexity

Fiano di Avellino is among Italy’s great ageworthy whites, and Colli di Lapio is a reference-point. 2011, from a warm but balanced year, retains freshness and structure due to careful work in the vineyard and slow native-yeast fermentations. By 2024, the wine has moved past its youthful vibrancy but rewards those seeking evolved, mineral-laden profiles.

Food pairing

Grilled octopus, roasted shellfish, aged ricotta, porcini risotto, cured fish, chicken with lemon and capers.

Serving

Decant

Not required

Sustainability

Sustainability score: 7/10

Colli di Lapio uses integrated pest management, limited synthetic inputs, native yeast fermentation, and minimal intervention. Vineyard covers, manual harvests, and moderate use of sulfites are standard. Packaging is standard glass with no lightweight bottle initiative.

Clelia Romano’s Colli di Lapio is widely respected for sustainable, low-intervention farming within the context of Campania’s small estates. While not certified organic/biodynamic, farming is minimal-input and focused on ecosystem health. Local biodiversity is supported through manual canopy management and cover crops. Energy and water practices are typical for family-run Italian estates, but with no significant eco-innovation or bottling advancements. Overall, the sustainability profile is above-average, reflecting genuine respect for the environment but without the highest-level certifications or advanced packaging/transport initiatives. The global carbon footprint is moderate, primarily impacted by transoceanic shipping and standard bottles.