Ansenum, the reduction of environmental impact passes through the recovery of old ecotypes: June 19th in Vico Equense

The agri-food sector can contribute to the reduction of emissions and have a softer footprint on the planet. This is one of the objectives of the ANSENUM project (acronym of "Ancient Seeds New Markets”) shared by theTourist Association “Pro Loco di Vico Equense” (lead body), from the NHACCP Quality Control Institute (Nutrient & Hazard Analysis of Critical Control Point, a tool that measures the impact of foods on health), from Lattari Mountains Regional Park (which includes the entire Sorrento-Amalfi peninsula), by other local bodies, by Prof. Anthony DeNicola of the Society of Naturalists in Naples, from Campania region and from Department of Agriculture, Federico II University. Dozens of Campanian companies are partners of the initiative and are now engaged in the recovery of ancient crops and the lands where they were grown in order to reduce the environmental impact of agriculture.

"I believe that participation in the ANSENUM project has been decidedly positive for the partner companies. – explains Donato Aiello, president of the leading body -. The agricultural sector today is attentive and sensitive to sustainability issues, therefore through public meetings we will try to involve other companies in the partnership and raise awareness among the population”. The first of these meetings will take place on Wednesday 19nd June (17 pm) at the Hall of Columns of the Holy Trinity of Vico Equense. "Discovering the products of the most beautiful garden in Europe: Sabato's grapes" this is the title of the event that will be animated by the speeches of Prof. Angelita Gambuti (Coordinator of the degree course in Viticulture and Oenology at the Department of Agriculture of the University of Naples Federico II) who will talk about the oenological potential of Sabato's grapes, and by Prof. Francesco Caracciolo, (Professor of Marketing and Consumer Science at the Department of Agriculture of the University of Naples Federico II) who will illustrate how local varieties can become a territorial and emotional marketing tool. Finally, it will be presented by the President of the Pro Loco of Vico Equense, Donato Aiello, the project logo. ANSENUM was financed with the psr Regione Campania 2014-2020 funds (intervention type 16.5.1 “Joint actions for the mitigation of climate change and adaptation to it and for ongoing environmental practices”). “Agriculture and Campania's excellences represent strategic assets of the Campania Region, a world leader in the production of wine, lemons, many typical products and food and wine in general. – declares the Hon. Alfonso Longobardi, regional councilor, vice president of the Budget Commission and member of the Agriculture Commission of the Campania Region – reason why it is necessary to adopt development measures and support for these sectors through the use of regional and national funds and above all the targeted use of European Funds. Personally, for example, I have dealt, with my legislative activity, with the protection of the IGP Lemons of Sorrento with important results and satisfactions".

ANSENUM PROJECT

QUALITY AGRICULTURE, REVALUATION OF MAGINAL LANDS AND REACTIVATION OF LOCAL COMMUNITIES 
It is a project that has as its final objective the reduction of the environmental impact in the agricultural sector through the promotion of an agriculture that has as its main purpose quality production and not quantity. The opportunity is given by the fact that the population is now willing to pay high prices to buy quality food products, that is, healthy, genuine, that are an expression of typicality "Made in Italy".
Focusing on agriculture aimed at obtaining quality products has a double effect. First: quality agriculture means using natural methods and not those of conventional intensive agriculture, with obvious reduction of environmental impact. But above all, quality agriculture can be pursued (unlike intensive quantity agriculture) even in places that are morphologically disadvantaged and on small extensions of land where extensive agriculture is not sustainable. The intermediate objective of the project is therefore to bring agricultural production back to lands that are currently considered marginal and kept in a state of semi-abandonment or even abandonment with tremendous environmental impacts. 
Basing agriculture on the management and regeneration of fertile lands and on the use of native genotypes will break the vicious circle started by the green revolution (dependence on synthetic fertilizers and pesticides) and will have a positive impact on the environment. At the same time, the cultivation techniques used will have to be borrowed from the peasant culture of older generations, triggering mechanisms of reactivation of local communities.

OLD ECOTYPES AS FACTORS OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Perhaps it was the great volcanoes (Campania has four volcanic centers: Roccamonfina, Campi Flegrei, Ischia and Vesuvius) that gave the land its extraordinary fertility, or perhaps it was the Mediterranean climate or the heterogeneous distribution of flat, mountainous and hilly territories: perhaps it is due to the combination of these characteristics that Campania has always had a strong vocation for horticulture. In terms of quantity produced, Campania holds the record for national horticultural production, but it is above all in the name of quality that the "most beautiful garden in Europe” today claims the importance of “typicality”, which represents the true value. 
The problem that this project intends to address is that farmers no longer use old ecotypes, although Campania is one of the largest holders of them. The vast heritage of products, flavors and colors that characterizes Campanian agriculture also represents its main wealth. It is up to us not only to preserve it but also to use it as an essential factor of economic development.
Focusing on traceability, quality and protection of the “typical” product means ensuring the maintenance of biodiversity and the regional gastronomic heritage, as well as offering the local economy a concrete opportunity for relaunch.
The area covered by the intervention is the Lattari Mountains Park: through a virtuous model that is attractive to the entire sector, an attempt will be made to recover and enhance typical and valuable products, which have almost completely disappeared because they have been replaced by hybrids with high production capacity, but poorly characterized by equal organoleptic qualities. Probably, when it is said that flavors are no longer what they once were, it is true: but this is not the case for the typical products that will be the subject of the ANSENUM project activities, such as the “fiaschello” tomato, cow's milk and “di Sabato” grapes.

SATURDAY'S GRAPES
The origins of the vine date back to the Romans. The name is controversial. Some hypotheses agree in indicating this name based on the ripening period: in fact, being a late grape and ripening according to Roman indications in the sixth era, here is the name "Saturday's grapes” referring to the sixth day of the week or the sixth period of maturation. 
This is a local vine not yet classified in the national ampelographic atlas; it has no synonyms; the grapes produced are red. The red wine produced is called vino di sabato.
The grape production area is identified in a fairly large territory including: the most affected municipality is Vico Equense, but other nearby centers are also affected (Meta, Piano). Here the nature of the land is ideal for the production of fine wine, favorably influenced also by the exposure and altitude of the territories.
In the case of Uva di sabato, the farmers' search for the shape to give to the vine penalizes cultivation a little. The vine is generally grown using a pergola that is particular to the area and has a planting pattern of 1,20 x 1,20 meters (also called a square in local terms); the vine is supported by a chestnut pole, the framework is made of galvanized wires that form a thick pergola. This viticulture contributes significantly to maintaining a real state of hydrogeological balance and to preserving the territories from fires, thus providing a great return to tourism that benefits from this beautiful landscape cultivated for the joy of numerous guests.
The yield of grapes into wine fluctuates around 75%. The alcohol content of the wine produced from Sabato's grapes ranges from a minimum of 10 degrees to a maximum of 11,5/12 degrees.
The wine produced has a characteristic deep ruby ​​red color, suitable for aging but not for too long. The aroma is vinous but delicate with a hint of violet; the flavor is dry, full-bodied, slightly tannic; with the years it improves and becomes rounded in taste. It is suitable for aging (two years at the producer in wooden barrels).
In gastronomy it is suitable for stews, roasts, noble poultry and strong and fermented cheeses; aged in barrels for at least two years it is suitable as a wine for reflection or after lunch, pairing well with nuts and dried fruit.