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Friday, September 17, 2010

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One week before the harvest.  A Sunday lunch with friends at Cantina del Vesuvio.  An excellent opportunity for a walk through the vineyards.

Vineyards that I didn’t notice as I parked my car in the gravel driveway. They’re hidden behind a tall hedge. A tall rectangular opening that serves as a doorway. I entered, and as I ‘crossed the threshold’ I was greeted by Piedirosso, Aglianico, Caprettone, and Greco di Torre.

Piedirossocroccante, as winemaker Antonio Pesce described it. A grape with a tough skin able to withstand the hot climate. The leaves had already turned their fall colors of red, orange, and brown. Stems were beginning to turn that light violet pigeon color…all typical of this grape. This grape that in the Vesuvius area is used to make Lacryma Christi del Vesuvio DOC Rosso, Rosè, Riserva…

Aglianico…a small quantity…thinned skinned…almost cracking due to the heat…ready for the harvest. This grape prefers the hills of Irpinia, where it is cooler, but at Cantina del Vesuvio it does participate in their Lacryma Christi del Vesuvio DOC Rosso and Aglianico to name a couple.

One week before the harvest the whites are ready as well. Two…

Caprettone-a member of the Coda del Volpe family…beautiful bunches, hanging on the vines…a gorgeous golden color …ripe…sweet … standing by … Alongside them in the vineyard were several vines of an ancestor of Greco di Tufo…Greco di Torre. Found only in this area. The bunches were s-shaped with tiny grapes. Once again, a beautiful golden color, rich sweet flavor. Ready, set, go … Lacryma Christi del Vesuvio DOC Bianco.

This was my first visit to a vineyard in the area. A vineyard with a view of Capri to one side and Vesuvius on the other . My first visit to a territory where a volcano caused destruction in the past, but has left behind a dark black soil that is productive, fertile, fruitful.

A vineyard where owner Maurizio Russo is the perfect host. Where you can learn about his father’s trails as he began the winery years and years ago. A vineyard that houses Cantina del Vesuvio, where you can drink wine, enjoy lunch and a Sunday afternoon with friends. Like I did.

A week before the harvest.

Cantina del Vesuvio

Via Tirone della Guardi, 12

8040 Trecase (Na)

081 536 9041


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