At the foot of the Vesuvius, the most famous (and studied) volcano in the world, as well as the pride and wealth of the Neapolitan lands, takes place an intense and valuable winemaking. Its fertile territory with unique environmental characteristics and lava soil, rich in minerals, is defined by many small micro-areas that give the grapes, and therefore the wines made from them, distinctive characteristics. Shades of unique and varied flavors given by the growing soils that differ according to the slope and altitudes, at which they are located.

Vesuvian DOC wines

Vesuvian viticulture covers a vast area from the slopes of Vesuvius, up to two-thirds of its height. Of this extensive and heterogeneous area, two zones can be identified: the Alto Colle Vesuviano zone, which extends beyond 200 m and is characterized by soils that are all more or less sloping; and that of the Southeastern Slope of Vesuvius, which includes fertile soils facing the sea.

Many wineries operate in this area, some deeply rooted in tradition and handing down knowledge from generation to generation.

It is precisely love and care in respecting tradition that have made the wide range of Vesuvius wines, DOC products.

The Controlled Designation of Origin for Vesuvian wines, regulated by specific rules that ensure their high quality, groups the exquisite red, white, rosé, fortified, dry and most varied quality wines into two basic types: the Lacryma Christi and the Vesuvius wine.

The grapes from which these tasty and renowned wines are made are grown in municipalities in the Neapolitan area, laid out across the belt that extends to the foothills of Vesuvius.

These include certain varieties traditionally grown in this area, including foxtail and Piedirosso.

The Coda di Volpe variety is locally known: as Caprettone, Verdeca, Falanghina and Greco. All white grapes used to make white Vesuvian wines.

Piedirosso (or Per e' Palummo) varieties, on the other hand, compete to make reds. This one, commonly called Palombina (or Palummina) also includes Sciascinoso (also called Olivella) and theAglianico.

Vesuvius DOC Wine

The Vesuvius DOC Wine is a designation by which fine wines are recognized as having an alcoholic strength of 10.00% for Vesuvius red and rosé and 10.50% for Vesuvius white. 

White Vesuvius:

• Color: pale straw yellow; 
• Smell: vinous, pleasant; 
• Taste: dry, slightly acidic.

Vesuvius rosé:

• Color: more or less intense pink; 
• Smell: pleasantly fruity; 
• Taste: dry, harmonious.

Red Vesuvius:

• Color: more or less intense ruby red; 
• Smell: pleasantly vinous; 
• Taste: dry, harmonious.

Lacryma Christi DOC 

The DOC qualified as Lacryma Christi of Vesuvius is a sub-denomination assigned to Vesuvius DOC wines that can be either red, rosé or white. Its yield must be contained to 65% of grapes and the alcoholic strength reaches at least 12%.

More than 90% of the Vesuvian wine produced falls under this sub-denomination, while only a percentage of 10% is bottled under the name Vino Vesuvio.

Lacryma Christi of Vesuvius white

The Lacryma Christi white is a wine with a faint straw-yellow color, a vinous and pleasant aroma and a dry, slightly acidic taste.

Lacryma Christi del Vesuvio rosé

You can recognize the Lacryma Christi rosé More or less intense pink color, pleasantly fruity smell and dry and harmonious taste

Lacryma Christi del Vesuvio red

The unmistakable ruby red color and pleasantly vinous smell make the Lacryma Christi Rosso del Vesuvio highly recognizable. It has a dry and harmonious flavor.

Vesuvian wine legend

Numerous legends have arisen around the prized Vesuvian drink. The most famous, concerns the "divine" origins of Lacryma Christi.

Indeed, it is said that when Lucifer was cast out of the World of Heaven, a piece of Heaven suddenly fell into the Bay of Naples. Merciful Christ, grieving over the loss of the one who had been the most good angel, wept. There where his tears fell, vines sprang up whose wine was called precisely, Lacryma Christi.

Another legend, however, says that when Christ descended to Earth, he thanked a redeemed hermit by turning an undrinkable drink into excellent wine.

Historical background on Vesuvius wines and their grapes

Vesuvian viticulture goes back a long way.

Writings by ancient Latin poets, show how the fine Vesuvian wines produced in Campania Felix were made among the Romans.

Even earlier, Aristotle in the 3rd century BC claimed in his writings that the ancient people of Magna Graecia, the Thessalians, planted the first vines in the Vesuvian area as early as the 5th century BC.

The grape varieties grown on the slopes of Vesuvius also have their own origin and history. Coda di Volpe, for example, is described by Vincenzo Semmola, and by Gasparrini in 1844 while Piedirosso also called Palommina appears in the writings of Pliny in his "Naturalis Historia" but also in those of Columella in 1804 and again by Semmola himself, in 1848.

A museum dedicated to wine

There is a real museum dedicated to wine: the MAVV Wine Art Museum. It is located in Porches and offers a multisensory experience that combines the culture and flavor of wine through itineraries dedicated to the world of wine from Campania. MAVV is a place to include in your itinerary if you are visiting Naples or heading to the Coast.