Amordivino Wines
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Campania

Population: 5.796.899
Surface (Kmq): 13595
Density (Inhabitants/Kmq.): 426
Main city: Napoli (NA)
Other towns: Avellino (AV); Benevento (BN); Caserta (CE); Salerno (SA).

The region faces the Tyrrhenian Sea and includes one of the finest coastlines in Italy. In front of the Gulfs of Naples and Salerno, you can admire marvellous and enchanting islands: Capri, Ischia (pictured above) and Procida. Two centuries ago, no self-respecting northern European aristocrat would dream of leaving Italy without spending a month or so in Naples (“vedi Napoli e poi muori”, see Naples and then you can die). But after the Unification in 1870, the city fell into ill repute and throughout the 20th century it was considered dangerous and depressing. This wonderful harbour town, once the third largest city on the continent, still has some less-than-picturesque neighbourhoods, but the entire historic centre was extensively restored in the '90s, and today it is one of the most interesting locations in Italy. People, lifestyle, the local colour and the food are nowhere on the peninsula present in such quantities as in Naples.


 
 
  
 

Records show that winemaking has been going on in this region since the 13th century BC. Traditionally, wines are intended for immediate local consumption and this has led many to consider the local wines as second-class products. The last decades of the 20th century saw a dynamic resurgence in Campania and distinctive wines have popped up in many provinces.

Especially in the Taurasi DOCG zone, a handful of winemakers have been pro-actively producing wide arrays of notable reds and whites that have acquired national respect. Arguably, the best-known wine is the Lacrima Christi, or “Tears of Christ”. Though in the past it was so overproduced that it almost ruined its reputation, in more recent years serious efforts have been made by local winemakers to restore its former status and have so far met with some success. Campania has several native grapes such as Fiano, a grape known to the Romans as Viti Apiana; Greco, first introduced by the Greeks; Coda di Volpe, so named by Pliny after the shape of the grape cluster; and Pedirosso.

DOCG wines:
Taurasi
Greco di Tufo
Fiano di Avellino

DOC wines:
Aglianico del Taburno
Asprinio di Aversa
Campi Flegrei
Capri
Castel San Lorenzo
Cilento
Costa d'Amalfi
Falerno del Massico
Galluccio
Guardia Saframondi
Ischia
Penisola Sorrentina
Sannio
Sant'Agata dei Goti
Solopaca
Vesuvio

IGT wines:
Beneventano
Colli di Salerno
Dugenta
Epomeo
Irpinia
Paestum
Pompeiano
Roccamonfina
Terre del Volturno