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Are you looking for a wine region sure to delight your taste buds? Look no further than Campania, Italy! This region is home to some of the best wines in the country and offers something for everyone.
Whether you’re looking for a light and refreshing white wine or a robust red, Campania has you covered.
In this article, we will explore 10 of the best wines from Campania and provide you with all the information you need to decide which ones are right for you. So what are you waiting for? Start planning your trip to Campania today!
History of Campania
Campania is a region in southern Italy home to some of the world’s most beautiful coastline, along with the city of Naples.
The name Campania comes from the Latin word for “countryside,” It was initially applied to the entire Italian peninsula. However, over time the name came to be explicitly associated with the area now known as Campania.
The region has a long history, dating back to the Neolithic period. Evidence of human habitation can be found in several archaeological sites, including the ruins of Pompeii and Herculaneum.
Campania was also an important center of Ancient Greek culture, and many great works of art and literature from that period were created here.
More recently, Campania has become known for its delicious food, wine, and stunning natural beauty. Campania offers something from the picturesque Amalfi Coast to the lively city of Naples.
Terroir and Climate Campania
The term terroir is used to describe the environmental conditions, such as climate and soil, that contribute to the unique flavor of a food or wine.
In the case of wine, terroir can also refer to the vineyard where the grapes are grown. The word terroir is French and originally referred to the land used for growing crops or raising livestock.
Over time, the meaning of terroir has evolved to encompass the idea that the land itself imparts characteristics to its products. This is especially evident in wine, where the temperature, rainfall, and soil type can affect the final product’s flavor.
The Campania region of Italy is one example of a place with a very distinctive terroir. The climate here is warm and sunny, with relatively high humidity levels.
This combination of factors helps to produce wines with bold flavors and complex aromas. The volcanic soil in Campania is also thought to contribute to the unique character of the region’s wines.
In addition to wine, Campania is also known for its delicious olive oil and fresh mozzarella cheese. The abundant sunshine and fertile soil create ideal conditions for growing olives and raising dairy cows. As a result, the foods of Campania are as distinctive as its wines.
The Top Wines of Campania
- Fiano di Avellino DOCG
- Greco di Tufo DOCG
- Falanghina del Sannio DOC
- Taurasi DOCG
- Lacryma Christi del Vesuvio DOC
- Nero d’Avola del Sannio DOC
- Aglianico del Taburno DOCG
- Albanello del Cilento IGT
- Fiano di Avellino Passito DOCG
- Coda di Volpe Passito IGT
Wines
The Campania region of Italy is home to some of the world’s most celebrated wines. Several of the region’s wines are protected under the European Union’s Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita (DOCG) system, which is reserved for wines of the highest quality.
Here are 10 of the best wines that Campania has to offer:
1. Fiano di Avellino DOCG
Fiano di Avellino DOCG is a white wine made from the Fiano grape in the Avellino province of Campania, Italy.
The wine is known for its minerality, floral aromas, and citrus flavors. Fiano di Avellino DOCG has a long history dating back to Roman times when the grape was first brought to the region.
The wine was granted DOCG status in 2003, making it one of Italy’s highest-quality wines. Today, Fiano di Avellino DOCG is made by several producers using traditional methods.
The wine is typically aged in stainless steel tanks or glass-lined cement vats, which help to preserve its freshness and delicate flavor.
If you’re looking for a unique Italian white wine to add to your collection, Fiano di Avellino DOCG is an excellent option.
2. Greco di Tufo DOCG
Greco di Tufo is a white wine grape grown in the province of Avellino, Italy. The name “Greco” refers to the grape’s Greek heritage, while “Tufo” refers to the volcanic soils in which it is grown.
The vine was brought to Italy by Greek settlers around 2,000 years ago and has been cultivated in the Avellino region ever since.
The Greco di Tufo DOCG was established in 1984 and covered over 3,000 vineyards. The region’s cool climate and volcanic soils give the wine its distinctive minerality and fresh acidity.
Greco di Tufo wines are typically medium-bodied with stone fruits, citrus, and herbs aromas. They are typically unoaked, but some producers experiment with barrel aging.
Greco di Tufo pairs well with seafood dishes, grilled vegetables, and creamy cheeses.
3. Falanghina del Sannio DOC
Falanghina del Sannio is a DOC white wine made from the Falanghina grape in Benevento, Italy. The grape is believed to have originated in Falerno, from which it gets its name.
The wine was first mentioned in a document from 969 AD, making it one of the oldest wines in Italy. The Falanghina grape is well-suited to the climate and soils of the Sannio region and produces a crisp, dry wine with citrus and floral notes.
Falanghina del Sannio was awarded DOC status in 1983 and today is one of the most popular white wines in Italy.
4. Taurasi DOCG
The Taurasi DOCG is a red wine made from the Aglianico grape in the province of Avellino, in the Campania region of Italy.
The name Taurasi came from the Latin word for bull and was likely chosen to reflect the strength and power of the Aglianico grape. The Taurasi DOCG was established in 1993 and is one of only a handful of Italian wines to receive this distinction.
The wines made under this designation must be aged for a minimum of three years before release and made from 100% Aglianico grapes.
The resulting wines are typically full-bodied and deeply colored, with high acidity and firm tannins. Taurasi DOCG wines are age-worthy and can improve with several years of cellaring.
When young, they often benefit from decanting before serving. The Taurasi DOCG is one of the premier red wines of Italy and is a wine that any severe enthusiast should seek.
5. Lacryma Christi del Vesuvio DOC
Lacryma Christi del Vesuvio is a DOC wine made in the Campania region of Italy, specifically in the provinces of Naples and Caserta.
Lacryma Christi comes from the legend that tears of Christ fell on the slopes of Mount Vesuvius when he wept over the city of Pompeii.
The wine has been produced in this area for centuries, and today it is made from a blend of two local grape varieties, Falanghina and Coda di Volpe. Lacryma Christi del Vesuvio is typically a light-bodied wine with delicate floral and citrus aromas.
It is an excellent pairing for seafood dishes, making it a popular choice for lunchtime meals in the Campania region.
6. Nero d’Avola del Sannio DOC
Nero d’Avola del Sannio is a DOC red wine produced in the province of Benevento, in the southern Italian region of Campania.
The grape variety used to produce Nero d’Avola del Sannio is the same as that used for the Sicilian Nero d’Avola wines, and the name is derived from the Avola town in Sicily.
The Nero d’Avola del Sannio DOC was established in 2005, and the production zone includes the entire territory of the municipality of Piano Rotondi.
The area’s climate is characterized by hot summers and mild winters, and the terrain is predominantly hilly. The vines are planted at altitudes between 200 and 500 meters above sea level, and the yield is limited to 60 quintals per hectare.
The minimum alcohol content for Nero d’Avola del Sannio DOC wines is 12%, and they must be aged for a minimum of 8 months before release.
Common characteristics of Nero d’Avola del Sannio wines include intense ruby color, whole body, high alcohol content, and moderate acidity.
The most popular styles are the Superiore and Riserva, made from carefully selected grapes and subjected to more extended aging periods.
7. Aglianico del Taburno DOCG
Aglianico del Taburno DOCG is a red wine made from the Aglianico grape in the province of Benevento, Italy. The wine has a long history, with references to it dating back to the Roman Empire.
It is one of Italy’s most prestigious wines and has been described as “the Barolo of the south”. The vineyards of Aglianico del Taburno are located on Mount Taburno at an altitude of between 700 and 1,000 meters.
The climate is cool and windy, with hot summers and cold winters. The soil is composed of clay and limestone. The grapes are harvested in October and November. The wine is aged for at least three years in oak barrels.
Aglianico del Taburno DOCG is full-bodied, with firm tannins and a long finish. It has the aromas of black fruits, spices, and tobacco. The flavor is complex, with blackberry, plum, chocolate, and coffee notes.
Aglianico del Taburno DOCG pairs well with red meats, game, and strong cheeses.
8. Albanello del Cilento IGT
Albanello del Cilento IGT is a white wine made in the Cilento region of Southern Italy. The wine is made from the Albanello grape, which is indigenous to the area.
The climate of the Cilento region is ideal for growing this grape, and the soils are rich in minerals, providing extra complexity to the wine.
Albanello del Cilento IGT has a straw yellow color and a light, fresh flavor with hints of citrus and stone fruits. It pairs well with seafood and poultry dishes.
9. Fiano di Avellino Passito DOCG
Fiano di Avellino Passito DOCG is a dessert wine made from the Fiano grape in the Campania region of Italy.
The grapes are left on the vine to wither and raisin, concentrating their sugars. The wine is then made using the traditional passito method, in which the grapes are slowly pressed, and the resulting juice is fermented for two years in oak barrels.
The result is a deeply-flavored wine with honey, apricot, and almond notes. Fiano di Avellino Passito DOCG is best enjoyed with decadent desserts or simply on its own. Its complex flavor and long finish make it a perfect after-dinner treat.
10. Coda di Volpe Passito IGT
Coda di Volpe Passito IGT is a type of Italian dessert wine. It is made from the coda di Volpe grape, a white grape varietal.
The coda di volpe grape is native to the Campania region of Italy. “Coda di Volpe” means “tail of the fox” in Italian. The coda di Volpe grape is known for its high sugar content, which makes it ideal for making dessert wines. Coda di Volpe Passito IGT is made by allowing the grapes to raisin on the vine.
This concentrates the sugars in the grape, leading to a sweeter wine. The wine is then aged in oak barrels for 12 months.
This results in a golden-hued wine with aromas of honey, apricot, and orange blossom. The taste is sweet and syrupy with peach, apricot, and orange zest flavors.
Coda di Volpe Passito IGT pairs well with desserts that are similarly sweet or have citrusy flavors.
