Sorrento is a perfect base for Amalfi Coast explorations however, there are other fabulous reasons, like vine-filled adventures. Yes, I know most come to see the beautiful Amalfi Coast. Whereas, I always like to explore through a vine-inspired lens. Italy is home to over five hundred indigenous grape varieties, with an impressive wine history. While in Sorrento I enjoyed getting to know wines produced from some of Campania's indigenous grapes at its urban winery, Cantine De Angelis.
Grapefully Inspired: Cantine De Angelis, Sorrento © Spaswinefood
Cantine De Angelis, Sorrento © Spaswinefood
I was excited to discover Cantine De Angelis; so off we went on a morning walk. John and I walked by Cantine De Angelis winery about 10 minutes from our hotel. The only winery in Sorrento producing wine, is located near the current train station, which connects Sorrento to the entire province of Naples. Inside the winery, dating back to the early 1900s, a historic stone is engraved with the acronym for the railway service at that time.
While Cantine De Angelis is steeped in history I was excited to learn more about its wines. Italy is known for its indigenous grape varieties. To give you some perspective, if you combine the number of indigenous grapes grown in France, Spain, and Greece (second, third, and fourth with numbers of indigenous varieties) it is still fewer than the number of indigenous grapes in Italy. Wineries where there is a long tradition of working with indigenous grapes, are grape-fully inspiring to me. Indigenous grapes come from a particular place express the terroir of that area. These grapes have specifically adapted to the environment where they are growing. Moreover, indigenous grapes are intimately tied to people, local culture, history, and winemaking-tradition in the area. I have seen this in countries where there has been a long tradition of working with indigenous grapes.
Cantine De Angelis is located in Campania, the southern part of the Italian peninsula. Tourists know Campania for the city of Naples, the ruins of Pompeii, the isle of Capri, and the Amalfi Coast. The Campania wine region has rich history and traditions, which have been shaped by its volcanic soils and Mediterranean climate. Besides, just viewing its scenic landscapes, you can immerse yourself in the local culture and culinary delights. While Campania's Viticulture dates back to Roman times, it really began with the arrival of the Ancient Greeks. They were the first to cultivate vitis vinifera grapes such as: Aglianico, Greco, Fiano, Falanghina, Biancolella and Piedirosso. Campania wines showcase the volcanic terroir of the region. It is home to 4 DOCGs, 15 DOCs, and 10 IGPs.
Cantine De Angelis is the only Sorrento winery making wine with Sorrento Peninsula grapes. It produces wines with Penisola Sorrentina DOP Sorrento, Vesuvio Lacryma Christi PDO and Campania IGP labels.
Penisola Sorrentina DOP Sorrento Wines
Penisola Sorrentina DOP Sorrento is one of the three subregions within Penisola Sorrentina DOC. The most common red grape varieties include: Aglianico, Piedirosso, Sciascinoso. Whereas, the most common white grape varietie include: Biancolella, Falanghina, Greco
Vesuvio Lacryma Christi PDO Wines
Lacryma Christi (Tears of Christ) is a wine produced from grapes grown on the slopes of Mount Vesuvius in Campania. These volcanic wines wine are highly regarded for its mineral-driven profile and bright acidity. Lacryma Christi wines are a sub-designation under the Vesuvio DOC created in 1983, although these wines have been produced for centuries. Mt. Vesuvius eruption of 79 A.D. destroyed the towns of Pompeii and Ercolano. The Vesurvio DOP Consorzio's area under vine is 391 hectares, with over half (52%) declared a Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) for the production of the Vesurvio DOC and Lacryma Christi DOC wines".
Cantine De Angelis white wine is produced from grape varieties: caprettone 60%, falanghina 40%; red wine is produced from grape varieties: Pirosso 60%, aglianico 30%, sciascinoso 10%; and rosé wine is produced from grape varieties: Pedirosso 60%, aglianico 20%, sciascinoso 20%.
Campania IGP
Campania IGP (Indicazione Geografica Protetta) with over 500 hectares was established in 2004. It is known for red wines made from indigenous grapes like Aglianico, and for white wines produced from Falanghina, Fiano, and Greco.
Wine Tasting at Cantine De Angelis
A Cantine De Angelis wine tasting was a great opportunity for me to learning about wines. It was not only a wine journey through the history of ancient Sorrento but, a discovery of the wines they produce. Earlier, during our morning walk, we booked a reservation, for the four of us. Luckily we met Fabio who arranged this tasting for us.
We were about to discover that besides gastronomic explorations another fabulous reason to visit Sorrento is its urban winery, Cantine De Angelis.
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| Cantine De Angelis Wines at Home © Spaswinefood |
All too soon it was time for us to leave the Amalfi Coast. A taxi picked us up at our Sorrento hotel and took us to the Naples Airport. After a quick flight to Rome's FOC airport we had time to relax before catching our flight home the next day. In case you are wondering Sorrento is one of the easiest towns along the coast to reach via taxi, shuttle, train, bus or ferry. This makes Sorrento a great base to explore the Amalfi Coast. If you arrive by plane at the Naples airport, you can take a train from Naples train station to Sorrento. You can also hire a private or shuttle transfer from the Naples Airport.
