From Taurasi to Falanghina dei Campi Flegrei: a short guide to Campania’s wines and the wine bars within walking distance of Casetta Correra.
Campania isn’t just the land of pizza, mozzarella, ragù and sfogliatelle. It is also one of Italy’s oldest and most fascinating wine-producing regions, home to indigenous grape varieties that are often found nowhere else in the world.
Greco, Fiano, Aglianico, Piedirosso, Falanghina, Biancolella and Asprinio reflect very different terroirs: the mountains of Irpinia, the hills of Sannio, the volcanic soils of Vesuvius and the Campi Flegrei, and the vineyards overlooking the sea on Ischia and the Amalfi Coast.
Staying at Casetta Correra, in the historic centre of Naples and just a short walk from Piazza Dante, you can embark on this journey without needing a car. In fact, the surrounding area is home to wine shops, wine bars and small venues where you can buy a bottle or order a glass of Campania wine.
What are the best wines from Campania?
Determining which are ‘the best’ is inevitably subjective. Campania, however, boasts four DOCG designations – Taurasi, Fiano di Avellino, Greco di Tufo and Aglianico del Taburno – as well as numerous DOC wines representing very different territories and traditions.
Here are the wines we recommend discovering during a stay in Naples.
Taurasi DOCG: the great red of Irpinia
Taurasi is probably Campania’s most famous red wine. It is made predominantly from Aglianico grapes grown on the hills of Irpinia, in the province of Avellino.
It is a significant, structured and long-lived wine. In the glass, it offers aromas of black cherry, plum, spices, tobacco, leather and undergrowth. The finest bottles can develop over many years, becoming progressively smoother and more complex.
In Naples, it pairs magnificently with ragù, roast meat, kid, soffritto and mature cheeses. Anyone wishing to try it should ask whether the restaurant offers Taurasi by the glass: as it is a complex and often expensive wine, it is not always available among the open wines.
Among the best-known producers are Mastroberardino, Luigi Tecce, Perillo, Salvatore Molettieri, Antonio Caggiano, Feudi di San Gregorio and Quintodecimo.
Fiano di Avellino DOCG: elegance and aromas
Fiano di Avellino is one of Italy’s most prestigious white wines. It is generally smoother and more aromatic than Greco di Tufo, with aromas that may evoke white flowers, dried fruit, pear, citrus, honey and Mediterranean herbs.
It is not necessarily a wine to be drunk very young. Some of the finest examples gain complexity after several years of bottle ageing.
It pairs well with spaghetti with clams, salt cod, baked fish, buffalo mozzarella, fried seafood and vegetable-based pasta dishes. It is also an excellent aperitif wine, especially for those who prefer elegant whites that are not overly aromatic.
Greco di Tufo DOCG: fresh, mineral and assertive
Also produced in Irpinia, Greco di Tufo is usually more taut, fresh and mineral than Fiano. Its name derives both from the Greco grape variety and from the town of Tufo, one of the municipalities where it is produced.
In the glass, it can reveal notes of citrus, apple, peach, aromatic herbs and almond. Its pronounced freshness makes it particularly well-suited to seafood dishes.
In Naples, it can be enjoyed with a sauté of clams, octopus, fried anchovies, squid, spaghetti with seafood, or with a classic marinara pizza.
An interesting tasting involves sampling, side by side, a Fiano di Avellino and a Greco di Tufo: this reveals just how different two great white wines produced just a few kilometres apart can be.
Aglianico del Taburno DOCG: the great red wine of the Sannio
Aglianico del Taburno originates in the province of Benevento, on the slopes of the Taburno massif. Like Taurasi, it is produced mainly from Aglianico grapes, but can exhibit different characteristics depending on the soil, altitude and the winemaker’s style.
It is a full-bodied red, with aromas of dark fruit, spices, tobacco and undergrowth. The Riserva versions have excellent ageing potential.
It pairs well with braised meats, ragù, game and mature cheeses. It can be an interesting choice for those wishing to discover a great Campania red that is less famous than Taurasi and, at times, more affordable.
Falanghina: Campania’s most versatile white wine
Falanghina is one of Campania’s most widely produced white wines. It is produced mainly in the Sannio and Campi Flegrei regions, but its characteristics can vary significantly from one area to another.
Falanghina from the Sannio is often floral, fruity and smooth. The variety from the Campi Flegrei, grown on volcanic and sandy soils, tends instead to be more savoury, fresh and with a hint of the sea.
It is the ideal wine for an aperitif, but also pairs well with mozzarella, vegetables, shellfish, fried fish, pasta with courgettes and pizza.
Among the bottles to look out for, those produced by Mustilli, Fontanavecchia, La Guardiense, Cantine del Taburno, Cantine Astroni, La Sibilla and Contrada Salandra are particularly worth noting.
Piedirosso dei Campi Flegrei: the red wine of Naples
If you’re looking for a wine deeply rooted in the Neapolitan terroir, Piedirosso dei Campi Flegrei is probably the most representative choice.
The name of the grape variety derives from the colour of the grape’s stalk, which is said to resemble the red foot of a pigeon, known in Neapolitan dialect as per ’e palummo.
Piedirosso is generally less powerful and tannic than Aglianico. It offers aromas of cherry, small red berries, pepper and Mediterranean herbs. It can be served slightly chilled and pairs very well with Neapolitan cuisine: pizza, pasta with ragù, sausages, aubergine parmigiana and stewed fish.
It is one of the wines we most highly recommend to foreign guests at Casetta Correra, as it allows them to discover the link between Naples, the Campi Flegrei and volcanic viticulture.
Lacryma Christi del Vesuvio
The name is famous and steeped in legend. According to one of the best-known tales, the tears of Christ that fell on the slopes of Vesuvius are said to have made those lands extraordinarily fertile.
Beyond the legend, the Lacryma Christi del Vesuvio DOC is actually produced on the volcanic soils surrounding the volcano. It comes in white, red, rosé and sparkling versions.
The white is produced mainly from Caprettone and Falanghina; the red primarily from Piedirosso, often blended with Aglianico. The white pairs well with fish dishes, whilst the red is ideal with pizza, ragù and meat.
Asprinio di Aversa: the wine of the ‘alberate’
Asprinio is one of Campania’s most distinctive wines. It is produced mainly in the Aversa area, north of Naples, where the vines were traditionally grown by training them to climb up poplar trees. These spectacular ‘alberate’ could reach heights of up to fifteen metres.
As the name suggests, Asprinio has a pronounced acidity. It is fresh, light and particularly well-suited to sparkling wine production. It pairs well with buffalo mozzarella, Italian-style fried food and rich dishes, as its acidity pleasantly cleanses the palate.
It is harder to find than Falanghina, Fiano and Greco, but it is worth asking if it is available at your local wine shop.
Biancolella d’Ischia
Biancolella is one of the iconic grape varieties of the island of Ischia. It produces delicate, fresh, floral and savoury wines, in which one can almost sense the proximity of the sea.
It is perfect with Ischian-style rabbit – despite it being a meat dish – but also with shellfish, grilled fish and seafood pasta dishes.
Among the historic names in Ischian winemaking are Casa d’Ambra, Cenatiempo and Tommasone.
Wines from the Amalfi Coast
The Amalfi Coast is home to spectacular vineyards, often laid out on terraces carved into the mountainside. Here, little-known native grape varieties survive, such as Fenile, Ginestra, Ripoli, Pepella and Tintore.
One of Campania’s most prestigious wines is Marisa Cuomo’s Fiorduva, a white wine produced in Furore that has become a true icon of regional winemaking. It is not a cheap bottle and is rarely offered by the glass, but it can make a wonderful purchase for a special dinner.
Where to taste Campania wines near Casetta Correra
Casetta Correra is just a short walk from Piazza Dante. This location means you can easily reach various wine shops and wine bars in the historic centre.
Enoteca Dante
At Piazza Dante 18–19, practically a stone’s throw from Casetta Correra, you’ll find the historic Enoteca Dante.
It is primarily a specialist shop, stocking over a thousand labels including Italian wines, sparkling wines, champagne, spirits and liqueurs. Here you can buy Campania wines to take home or give as gifts, and tastings are also organised.
It’s the first place to look for a Taurasi, a Fiano di Avellino, a Greco di Tufo or a wine from the Campi Flegrei. Before heading there for a tasting, it’s a good idea to ring ahead and check what times are available.
Il Tempo del Vino e delle Rose
Also in Piazza Dante, at numbers 44–45, Il Tempo del Vino e delle Rose is a bistro and literary café where you can stop for an aperitif, a glass of wine or a bite to eat.
Its location makes it particularly convenient for guests at Casetta Correra: it’s ideal for a quiet break at the end of a day spent in the historic centre.
The availability of individual wines may vary, so we suggest asking the staff which Campania wines are served by the glass.
Indovino – Natural Wine Bar
At Vico Latilla 9, just a few minutes’ walk from Piazza Dante, Indovino specialises in natural, organic and artisanal wines, accompanied by cured meats, cheeses and local specialities.
It’s the ideal choice for those who want to look beyond the best-known labels and discover small-scale winemakers, minimal-intervention wines and unconventional styles. Before choosing, it’s worth explaining your preferences: those used to traditional wines might find some natural wines rather unusual.
Retrobottega Wine Bar
At Vico della Quercia 23, in the area between Piazza Dante and Piazza del Gesù, Retrobottega is a small wine bar serving wines, gins and platters of cured meats and cheeses.
The atmosphere is informal and perfect for an evening aperitif. Here too, it’s worth asking which Campania wines are available, as the selection by the glass can change frequently.
A Campania wine tasting in four glasses
Those unfamiliar with the region’s wines could put together a short, ideal itinerary by choosing:
- Falanghina dei Campi Flegrei, to start with a fresh, volcanic white;
- Fiano di Avellino, which is smoother and more complex;
- Piedirosso dei Campi Flegrei, a lively red with a distinctly Neapolitan character;
- Taurasi, to round off with the most structured and age-worthy wine.
There’s no need to drink all four glasses in one evening. The tasting can be spread across various aperitifs and dinners throughout your stay.
A tip before ordering
Wine lists and the bottles available by the glass vary according to the season and the restaurant’s stock. For this reason, it’s always advisable to ask:
‘Do you have any wines from Campania by the glass? We’d prefer to try a native grape variety.’
It’s a simple question, but it often allows you to discover bottles that don’t appear on the list and to receive more personalised recommendations.
Staying in the centre of Naples and discovering its flavours
Staying in the historic centre means being able to experience Naples even after the museums and monuments have closed: strolling between Piazza Dante, Port’Alba and Piazza Bellini, stopping off at a small wine bar and heading back without having to use the car.
Casetta Correra, a holiday home for two people situated near Piazza Dante, is particularly convenient for those who wish to discover Naples at a leisurely pace. After a day spent exploring the churches, palaces and narrow streets of the historic centre, you can walk to the local wine bars or buy a bottle and savour it at your leisure on the house’s peaceful terrace.
Because getting to know Naples also means this: discovering that behind every glass of Campania wine lies a volcano, an island, a mountain or a vineyard overlooking the Mediterranean.
