Campania’s average annual wine production of 185 million litres (9th in volume among the regions) includes 16% DOC/DOCG and 15% IGT. Red wine accounts for 57% of Campania’s production.

It’s become increasingly evident why the ancient Romans admired Campania Felix as the most felicitous of wine regions. Over the last decade, the region of Naples has dramatically improved the quality of its modern wines, now classifying about a third of the production as DOC or IGT.

Evidence of the new era is the elevation of four ancient wines to the elite category of DOCG: Taurasi, Fiano di Avellino, Greco di Tufo and Aglianico.

The Romans favoured the vineyards along the coast north of Naples where Falernian, the most treasured wine of the empire, was grown. They also praised the wines of volcanic Vesuvius and the wooded hills of Avellino. Even earlier, the Greeks had recognised the privileged nature of the place, introducing vines which still stand today in Aglianico, Greco and Falanghina.

In Campania a majority of producers strives to make the most of native vines, including an honour roll of so-called “archaeological varieties” which do indeed date back to antiquity. The noblest of red varieties is Aglianico, which makes the red Taurasi, as well as the red Falerno del Massico and others. Greco, a name applied to various vines prominent in the south, reaches heights in Greco di Tufo. Falanghina, which seems to have been the base of the white version of Falernian, has become the region’s fastest spreading variety.

Campania’s DOC zones also include the fabled islands of Capri and Ischia, as well as the recently revived Peninsola Sorrentina and Costa d’Amalfi.

The recent region wide IGT of Campania, which applies to red, white and rose’ wines and nine native varietals, has rapidly increased the quantity of classified wine from a region that is fast gaining in prestige in Italy and abroad.