At the foot of Mount Vesuvius, the most famous (and studied) volcano in the world, as well as being the pride and wealth of the Neapolitan lands, an intense and valuable wine production takes place. This fertile territory has unique environmental characteristics and lava soil, rich in minerals, is defined by many micro-areas that give the grapes (and therefore the wines that are obtained from them) their peculiar characteristics. Shades of unique and varied flavours are given by the soil, and differentiate according to the slope and the altitudes at which it is found.
DOC Vesuvian wines
Vesuvian viticulture develops on a large area ranging from the slopes of Mount Vesuvius, up to two thirds of its height. Starting from this extensive and heterogeneous area, two main areas can be identified: the Alto Colle Vesuviano area, which extends over 200 m in height and is characterized by more or less sloping terrain, and the area that covers the south-eastern side of Mount Vesuvius, which includes fertile land facing the sea.
Many wineries operate in this area, and some of them are deeply linked to tradition and pass on their knowledge from generation to generation.
It is precisely this love and care with respect for tradition that has ensured that the wide range of Mount Vesuvius wines could boast the title of DOC product.
The Denominazione di Origine Controllata (Controlled Designation of Origin) of Vesuvian wines, regulated by specific rules that ensure their high quality, groups the exquisite red, white, rosé, liqueur, and dry wines (all with their most varied qualities) in two main types: the Lacryma Christi and the Vino Vesuvio.
The grapes with which these tasty and renowned wines are produced are grown in the municipalities of the Neapolitan area, arranged over the entire belt that extends to the foot of Mount Vesuvius.
Among these varieties, there are some that stand out because they are cultivated according to tradition in this area, including the Coda di Volpe and the Piedirosso.
The Coda di Volpe varieties are locally known as Caprettone, Verdeca, Falanghina and Greco. In all these cases we are talking about white grapes that are used to make white Vesuvian wines.
The Piedirosso (also known as Per e’ Palummo) varieties, on the other hand, are the basis for the production of red wine. This is commonly called Palombina (or Palummina), and it also includes the Sciascinoso (also called Olivella) and the Aglianico.
Vino Vesuvio DOC
The Vino Vesuvio DOC is a denomination that covers fine wines that have an alcoholic strength of 10.00% (for red and rosé Vesuvio) and 10.50% (for white Vesuvio).
White Vesuvio:
- Colour: pale straw yellow;
- Smell: vinous, pleasant;
- Flavour: dry, slightly acidic.
Rosé Vesuvio:
- Colour: more or less intense pink;
- Smell: pleasantly fruity;
- Flavour: dry, harmonious.
Red Vesuvio:
- Colour: more or less intense ruby red;
- Smell: pleasantly vinous;
- Flavour: dry, harmonious.
Lacryma Christi DOC
The DOC qualified as Lacryma Christi del Vesuvio is a sub-denomination assigned to Vesuvian DOC wines that can be red, rosé or white. Its yield must be limited to 65% of the grapes and the alcoholic strength reaches at least 12%.
Over 90% of the Vesuvian wine that is produced falls under this sub-denomination, while only a percentage of 10% is bottled with the name of Vino Vesuvio.
White Lacryma Christi del Vesuvio:
- Colour: pale straw yellow;
- Smell: vinous, pleasant;
- Flavour: dry, slightly acidic.
Rosé Lacryma Christi del Vesuvio:
- Colour: more or less intense pink;
- Smell: pleasantly fruity;
- Flavour: dry, harmonious.
Red Lacryma Christi del Vesuvio:
- Colour: more or less intense ruby red;
- Smell: pleasantly vinous;
- Flavour: dry, harmonious.
Legends related to Vesuvian wines
Numerous legends were born around the precious Vesuvian wines. The most famous talks about the “divine” origins of the Lacryma Christi.
It is said, in fact, that when Lucifer was expelled from Heaven, a piece of Paradise suddenly fell into the Gulf of Naples. Christ, merciful and grieved at the loss of the one who had been the best angel, wept. In the exact place where his tears fell, vines were born, whose wine would have been called Lacryma Christi.
On the other hand, another legend says that when Christ came down to Earth, he thanked a redeemed hermit by transforming an undrinkable drink into excellent wine.
Historical notes on Vesuvian wines and their grapes
Vesuvian viticulture dates back to very distant times.
Testimonies of the ancient Latin poets show how the precious Vesuvian wines produced in “Campania Felix” (lucky Campania) were made among the Romans already.
Even earlier, in the 3rd century BC, Aristotle claimed in his works that the ancient people that lived in Magna Graecia planted the first vines in the Vesuvian area as early as the 5th century BC.
Even the vines grown on the slopes of Mount Vesuvius have their origin and history. The Coda di Volpe, for example, is described by Vincenzo Semmola and Gasparrini in 1844, while the Piedirosso (also called Palommina) appears in Pliny’s “Naturalis Historia”, but also in the writings by Columella in 1804 and again by Semmola in 1848.
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