Provinces: Naples, Avellino, Benevento, Caserta, Salerno
The ancient Romans called it “Campania Felix” because
vines prospered on the sun-drenched slopes of the region’s
volcanic rises as nowhere else in the Empire. The grandest
of Roman wines was Falernian, from vineyards along the
Tyrrhenian coast where Falerno di Massico is produced
today.
It once seemed that Campania’s past had
been so glorious that many winemakers were content to
continue living in it. But over the last decade Campania
has witnessed a revival that has dramatically improved
quality and restored some of the ancient prestige. The
most respected modern wines come from what are known
as “archaeological varieties,” led by Aglianico,
Fiano and Greco, which thrive in the hills around the
mountain town of Avellino.
Significant progress has also
been reported around the Gulf of Naples, in the zones
of Ischia, Capri, Vesuvius, Sorrento and Amalfi, where
wines are once again starting to live up to the magnificent
settings. Campania now has 19 D.O.C. zones, including
Taurasi, for the red wine that became the first D.O.C.G.
of Italy’s south.
Useful contacts:
Regione Campania - E.R.S.A.C.- Parco M. Cristina (Comola
Ricci) - 80122 Napoli - Tel.: 0039 081 569 3282 Fax:
0039 081 569 3212
Movimento del Turismo del Vino C/o Cantine D'Ambra -
S.S. 270 Localita' Panza Foro d'Ischia (NA) - Tel.: 0039
081 907 210 - http://www.wineday.org |
