(Updated 06/12/2025)
Long before Rome decided it owned the peninsula, the Greeks had already planted their flag, and their vines, in this corner of the world, promptly naming it ‘Enotria’, the land of wine. Alongside Sicily, Campania quickly developed a reputation for vineyards that rather dramatically flourished in the volcanic soils around the perpetually moody Vesuvius. The first Greek settlers were astute enough to recognise the promise of this terrain and wisely established the very grape varieties that continue to define the region’s wine culture today.
Discover Campania’s ancient Greek wine heritage, its revival of bold reds and vibrant whites, and the volcanic vineyards now producing some of Italy’s most exciting bottles.
Revival of Campania wines
For a considerable period, Campania’s viticultural standing quietly retreated into the background. It was simply overshadowed by other regions that demonstrated a slightly better aptitude for self-promotion, even though the Campanian hills never stopped churning out an admirable volume of wine. Beyond the highly respected Taurasi,a DOCG red whispered about by true connoisseurs, much of Campania’s production languished, strangely underappreciated.
And yet, a discernible revival is now fully underway. As modern wine drinkers look for something a little more interesting than the endless parade of Chardonnay, Shiraz, and Cabernet Sauvignon, Campania is finally having its moment again. A new wave of well-trained, quietly ambitious winemakers and investors is returning to the land, rediscovering the sheer capability that has been here all along.
Taurasi Red
Modern techniques, when paired with a refreshingly stubborn respect for deep-seated tradition, are visibly reshaping the region’s vineyards. Indigenous grapes like Aglianico, Sangiovese, Piedirosso, Primitivo, and Barbera are all receiving renewed, serious attention. Aglianico, in particular, has reclaimed its place at center stage, thanks to its non-negotiable role in creating Taurasi, which remains the region’s sole red wine boasting the prestigious DOCG status.
Campania’s White
Curiously, it is Campania’s white wines that are currently stealing the lion’s share of the attention. As critic James Suckling has observed, these whites typically bypass the heavy-handed influence of oak barrels entirely; their flavours are kept beautifully clean and precise, thanks to cool fermentation in stainless steel. This approach perfectly suits the Italian inclination for bright, refreshing wines that naturally complement seafood, antipasti, or simply a chilled moment on a scorching afternoon. When the summer temperatures are high, anything remotely heavy or oaky instantly feels like a misplaced effort.
While the large cooperatives reliably supply the global market with perfectly approachable, inexpensive bottles, a growing collection of smaller, ambitious producers is quietly aiming much higher. Riccardo Cotarella, one of Italy’s most influential oenologists, confidently predicts that this region, once perhaps more famous for its chestnuts and potatoes than its wine, is now poised to deliver white wines of genuine international significance.
Falanghina is everybody’s favorite
Greco Bianco and Fiano are undoubtedly leading this exciting renaissance, forming the essential backbone of the celebrated DOCG wines Greco di Tufo and Fiano di Avellino. Surrounding these stars, varieties like Coda di Volpe and the increasingly fashionable Falanghina further broaden Campania’s white wine landscape, each one adding its own singular expression of this fascinatingly volcanic and sometimes unpredictable terrain.
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Tourism Authority Campania – Visit Campania
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Centro Direzionale, is. A6 – 80143 Naples, Italy.
80143
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Campania
Italy
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