The Wine Route on the Sorrento Coast
On the Sorrento Coast there is a route that takes you to discover the best wines and wineries in the area: it is the Wine Route. So, if wine tasting is your passion, please keep reading!
SORRENTO COAST: THE WINE ROUTE
The Wine Route was created to enhance the inland areas of the Amalfi Coast and Sorrento Peninsula. In fact, the hilly area is little known by tourists, despite the fact that it can boast a great historical, cultural and natural heritage and also excellent food and wine products. Indeed, this area is famous for exceptional citrus fruits (especially lemon), excellent olive oil and, of course, wines.
Assovini, the Italian Association of Wine Producers and Wine Tourism, indicates two different paths to travel along the Wine Route. The first starts from the town of Gragnano, famous for pasta production, and continues to Valle dei Mulini and Agerola. The second starts from Castellammare di Stabia and goes as far as Vico Equense, Sant’Agnello, Sorrento and Massa Lubrense.
VITICULTURE ON THE SORRENTO COAST
The viticultural vocation of the Sorrento Peninsula and the Amalfi Coast has ancient origins. In fact, equipment used for turning grapes into wine has also been found in the numerous local archaeological excavations.What is special is that viticulture is still tied to tradition today, both in terms of cultivation methods and the grape varieties.
From a viticultural point of view, the area is divided into two sub-areas with their own identity: that of the Monti Lattari and that of the Sorrento Coast.
The Monti Lattari area covers 8289 hectares and includes the towns of Castellammare di Stabia, Gragnano, Casola di Napoli, Lettere, Pimonte and Agerola. The soils are dolomitic and the crops are terraced. The most common grape varieties are:
- black grapes: Olivella, Piedirosso, Aglianico and Santantonio,
- white grapes: Uva Mosca and local clones.
The area of the Sorrento Coast covers 6037 hectares and includes the towns of Vico Equense, Meta di Sorrento, Piano di Sorrento, S.Agnello, Sorrento and Massa Lubrense. Also here there are dolomitic soils, but the conformation is more favorable, partly due to the northern exposure. The most common grape varieties are:
- black grapes: Uva del Sabato, Uva del Convento, Piedirosso and Aglianico,
- white grapes: Biancolella, Falanghina and Greco.
THE WINES OF SORRENTO
As for wines, we must mention Penisola Sorrentina Bianco and Rosso Frizzante Naturale, both DOC since 1994.
Bianco consists of at least 40% Falanghina, a maximum of 20% Biancolella and/or Greco and 40% minor grape varieties. It has a straw color, a delicate aroma, a dry flavor, and the minimum alcohol content is 10%.
Rosso consits of minimum 40% Pedirosso, maximum 20% Olivella and/or Aglianico, remaining 40% from other grape varieties. The wine has a ruby red color, fruity aroma, frothy appearance with lively and evanescent perlage.
The Wine Route gives you the best opportunities to taste these wines, but also liqueurs such as Limoncello and the many tasty dishes that distinguish the local cuisine.
Plan your trip along the Wine Route and book a stay in one of our luxury villas near Sorrento!