Naples at the table - Photo ©
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Campania Wine:
The ancient Romans considered Campania
Felix to be the "non plus ultra" of wine regions. They favored the vineyards
along the coast north of Naples where Falernum, the most treasured wine of
the empire, was grown. They also lauded the wines of Vesuvius and the hills
of Avellino. The Greeks, too, recognized the privileged nature of the place,
introducing vines which still stand out today in Aglianico and Greco.
Campania's vinicultural fortunes had been declining for decades as growers
left the land and a majority of producers ignored DOC. But there have always
been exceptions, none more conspicuous than the trio of classified wines -
the red Taurasi and the white Fiano di Avellino and Greco di Tufo - all
grown in the hills east of Naples.
Taurasi, from Aglianico, has been called "the Barolo of the south" due to
its size and ability to age, though its style is proudly its own. That red
wine is now a DOCG. Fiano and Greco are among italy's most distinguished
whites.
The wines of Ischia and Solopaca rate increasing praise, as do the new
DOCs
of Falerno del Massico, where the ancient Falernum was grown. Recently the
region's wine authorities have put the emphasis on controlled quality in new
zones designed to revive Campania's historical potential.
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Campania Wines, and food pairings: |
I Love Italian Wine and Food series - Campania Region: an article
© 1997-2010 Enrico Massetti
TangoItalia - Food, Wine, Travel, and... tango in Italy.