After the first incoming tour of Vesuvio wine area, having climbed the volcano and having discovered one of the most relevant wine production villa  of the 2nd century A.C. (Villa Augustea in Somma Vesuviana with the captivating guide of prof. De Simone) it is time to discover the current wine production.

In general, the wines of Vesuvio are characterized by lively minerality, savouriness especially if produced from vines which directly face the Tyrrheanian sea and the typical “bitter” touch that probably represents one of the hardest challenges especially for the reds when it has to be well balanced with the bitter potential flavour given by tannins; the whites can often offer a fumè aroma.

So, after the recent presentaion of the territory (here), here is my top list of wines picked among the 74 ones tasted on the occasion of this educational tour organized by Consorzio of Vesuvio Wines.

 

ROSATI:

It is very high the quality of the local rosè wines: lively, tasty and never bold or sugary. A great expression of the territory and, according to me, a very interesting product to be better exploited.

 

Vesuvio Lacryma Christi Rosato DOC 2017 – Sorrentino Vini

Vesuvio Lacryma Christi Rosato DOC “Munazei” 2017 – Casa Vinicola Setaro

Vesuvio Lacryma Christi Rosato DOC “Gelso rosa” 2015 – Villa Dora (look at the age)

 

REDS:
The production of red wines is coherent and the wines seem to be in line to express the territory. The wines vinified in stainless steel tanks perform much better enhancing the fruity, lively and savoury character of the variety (Piedirosso) and of the territory. It would be interesting to better explore the vinification in amphora to get a perfect fruity concentration which could support the balance with the typical bitter touch. The reduced character which has often characterized the local style in the past is gone.

 

Vesuvio Lacryma Christi Rosso DOC “Lacrima Nero” 2017 – Cantine Olivella

Vesuvio DOC Piedirosso “Vipt” 2016 – Cantine Olivella

Vesuvio Lacryma Christi Rosso DOC “Gemma” 2016 –  Romano Michele Vini

Vesuvio Lacryma Christi Rosso DOC “Don Fiore” 2017 – Fioravante Romano

Pompeiano IGT Piedirosso “O’ Cuognolo” 2017 – Tenuta Le Lune del Vesuvio

Vesuvio Lacryma Christi Rosso DOC 2017 – Eredi Rizzo

Vesuvio Lacryma Christi Rosso DOC “Lava Rubra” 2016 – Bosco de’ Medici

Vesuvio Lacryma Christi Rosso DOC “Lucio Terzo” 2016 – Ferraro Anna

Vesuvio Lacryma Christi Rosso DOC “Cratere rosso” 2017 – Cantine degli Astroni

SPARKLINGS:

A very interesting (although small) flight, wines with a good personality

 

Vesuvio Lacryma Christi Bianco Spumante (Charmat Method) DOC “Dorè” 2016 – Sorrentino vini

Vesuvio Spumante Caprettone (Metodo Classico) “PietraFumante” 2015 – Casa Setaro

WHITES:

The white versions of Lacryma Christi appear less coherent with a seesawing quality level especially because of the difficulties of the vintage 2017. On the other hand the performance of the single-grape wines (from Caprettone and Catalanesca) is very interesting.

 

Vesuvio Lacryma Christi Bianco DOC “Crucem” 2017 – Nocerino Vini

Vesuvio Lacryma Christi Bianco DOC “Lacrima bianco” 2017 – Cantine Olivella

Vesuvio Lacryma Christi Bianco DOC 2017 – Terredora di Paolo

Vesuvio Lacryma Christi Bianco DOC 2015 – Villa Dora

Vesuvio Lacryma Christi Bianco DOC 2015 – Cantine Matrone

Vesuvio Lacryma Christi Bianco DOC 2017 –  Vinicola Sannino

Vesuvio Lacryma Christi Bianco DOC 2017 – Az. agr. Fuocomorto

Catalanesca del Monte Somma IGP “Català” 2017 – Az. agr. Montesommavesuvio

Catalanesca del Monte Somma IGP “Catalunae” 2017 – Nocerino Vini

Catalanesca del Monte Somma IGP “Katà” 2017 – Cantine Olivella

Vesuvio DOC Caprettone “Emblema” 2017 – Cantine Olivella

Pompeiano IGT Falanghina “Mariè” 2016 – Cantina del Vesuvio