The Penisola Sorrentina DOC is an appellation in the metropolitan city of Naples, in Campania. It was recognised by the decree of 3 October 1994. It has about 50 hectares, with an output of 2,960 hectolitres.
From the Greeks to the «trafica del vino»
The vine on the slopes of the Lattari Mountains very probably goes back to the Greeks, who taught growing techniques to the Oscans, the ancient inhabitants of the area. In Roman times too the wine from here had great admirers, as shown by the presses, the large half-buried dolia where the crushed grapes fermented and the amphorae suited to transport by sea. Until the mid-twentieth century, between Neapolitan merchants and the farmers of Gragnano, there was the «trafica del vino»: the new wine was bought and taken to Naples in barrels, on large carts called traìni, but not before lunches on the threshing floor and dancing to flutes and tammorre.
Bianco, Rosso and the subzones
The Bianco comes from at least 60% Biancolella, Falanghina and Greco, with at least 40% Falanghina. The Rosso comes from at least 60% Aglianico, Piedirosso, called Pèr 'e Palummo here, and Sciascinoso, known as Olivella, with at least 40% Piedirosso. The Rosso can also be frizzante. There are three subzones: Gragnano and Lettere, for the frizzante Rosso only, and Sorrento, for the Bianco and the still Rosso. The minimum alcohol is 10%.
