Wine of the Week 8/11/20

Poggio Delle Baccanti Lacryma Christi del Vesuvio Rosso 2017
Regularly $18.99/On Sale for $15.96

One of several stories underlying the name of this wine predates Christianity, and claims that Bacchus, god of wine, climbed Vesuvius, gazed onto the bay of Naples, and wept from the beauteous sight.

Wherever his tears fell, vines grew.  This story was later updated to accommodate the tears of Christ.  Even if neither of these stories is 100% accurate, it makes for a dramatic name for a wine from a dramatic landscape.

Grapes have been grown on the slopes of Mt. Vesuvius since Roman times, and the Piedirosso (red foot) grape has been known here since the 5th century BCE.  The La Mura family has been making wine here since the 1950’s.  They work only with local varietals and have made what they call “a pact with the earth” to treat it with respect, a philosophy that supports their organic farming and low-intervention winemaking practices.

Like many of the the red wines from Campania, this friendly but layered red is one of the world’s greatest pizza wines (another Campania invention!), and this is an extra-good deal.  Have it on the porch with a light chill, or around the fire-pit.  We promise you will shed no tears!