I vini del Vesuvio - Michele Romano Vini

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The spread and development of wine activities and culture in the Vesuvian area are testified, even in ancient times, by the discovery of numerous murals depicting grapes and vineyards, taverns, doli, presses and other furnishings in Pompeian houses.

Vesuvian wines, a timeless myth

The Vesuvian soil is characterized by its fertility, due to the presence of minerals such as potassium and silica contained in old and recent layered lava. This soil composition has made the Vesuvius area particularly suitable for growing various agricultural products and vines that here, due to the soil nature, are immune to phylloxera and can be autochthonously reproduced without the use of American vines that elsewhere serve as a protection from parasites: they are on “frank” foot, that is, they are still the vines acclimatized millennia ago.

They were the Romans to develop the wine potential of the Somma-Vesuvius by planting the vine from which the Lacryma Christi originated: numerous and famous all over the world are the Roman villas and rustic farms, re-emerged from the ashes of the eruption that in 79 AD buried Pompeii and much of the Vesuvian plain, where they were found the “doli”, large terracotta containers used to collect the precious wine, presses and other furnishings that reflect an enological culture and activity widely spread and developed by the ancient inhabitants of these lands.

Vesuvian grapes are grown in the characteristic sloping vineyards, on the foot of the volcano up to 400 meters high. Among the most popular varieties are the Caprettone, also called “Coda di Volpe” for the characteristic shape of the grape, reminiscent of a foxtail; It is used in the White Lacryma Christi blend. The Piedirosso, locally called “Per e’ Palumm” for the shape of the grape that resembles a pigeon’s foot, is instead used in Red Lacryma Christi, Red and Rosé Vesuvius.

In the Somma Vesuviana area, Sant’Anastasia, Ottaviano, Pollena Trocchia, the Catalanesca grapes are produced, a white-skinned grape variety imported in 1450 by Alfonso I of Aragon, used as table grapes and for production of Catalanesca del Monte Somma wine.

Coda di Volpe

Piedirosso

Catalanesca

Lacryma Christi del Vesuvio Doc, Vesuvio Doc, Pompeiano Igt

Lacryma Christi and Vesuvio wines are famous and affirmed all over the world, and are part of the national and international enology history. Martial’s verses «Haec iuga quam Nysae colles plus Bacchus amavit - Bacchus loved these hills more than the native hills of Nisa» express all the might and uniqueness of these wines, already known in ancient times and remembered, during different periods, with myths and legends.

Controlled Designation of Origin (DOC) Lacryma Christi of Vesuvius and Vesuvio affects 15 municipalities in the province of Naples including Ottaviano where the Romano family vineyards are located. This area is highly vocated for winegrowing and located across the foothills of Vesuvius.

White Lacryma Christi comes from white Coda di Volpe and / or Verdeca (min 80%), Falanghina and / or Greco (max 20%) with a minimum alcohol content of 12%; White Lacryma Christi is also used to produce a sparkling and a fortified wine.

Red Lacryma Christi is produced with Piedirosso and / or Sciascinoso (min 80%), Aglianico (max 20%) with a minimum alcohol content of 12%;

Rosé Lacryma Christi is made from Piedirosso and / or Sciascinoso (min 80%), Aglianico (max 20%) with a minimum alcohol content of 12%.

Wines produced from grapes harvested while dropping tears of sugar can boast the name of Lacryma Christi. Wines having an alcohol content less than 11% for white and 10.50% for red and rosé are called Vesuvius.

White, Red and Rosé IGT Pompeiano wines comes for at least 85% from Aglianico, Coda di Volpe bianco, Falanghina, Piedirosso, Sciascinoso.