Cratere Rosso

Lacryma Christi del Vesuvio rosso dop

Cratere Rosso

Lacryma Christi del Vesuvio rosso dop

Cratere Rosso is a Lacryma Christi del Vesuvio Rosso DOP produced in the Agro Vesuviano, on the slopes of Mount Vesuvius, a land of primordial energy where viticulture has always existed in close relationship with fire, ash and time.

Made from a balanced blend of Piedirosso and Aglianico, two grape varieties historically rooted in Campania’s winemaking tradition, this wine offers an authentic, terroir-driven interpretation of Lacryma Christi.

The grapes, grown on volcanic sandy-loam soils and harvested by hand in October, undergo skin maceration of variable duration with délestage, followed by fermentation in stainless steel at a controlled temperature.

After fermentation, the wine ages in stainless steel and subsequently in bottle, preserving its freshness and balance.

vintage

2024

Technical Sheet

Grape Varieties | Piedirosso, Aglianico
Production Area | Agro Vesuviano
Soil | Sandy loam
Training System | Low pergola and spur-pruned cordon
Yield per Hectare | 70–80 quintals
Harvest Period | October
Harvest | Manual

Winemaking

Pre-fermentation Technique | Skin maceration of variable duration, with délestage
Fermentation | In stainless steel for approximately two weeks
Fermentation Temperature | 24–26°C
Ageing | In stainless steel, followed by bottle ageing
Alcohol Content | 12.5% vol.

Organoleptic characteristics​​​​

Intense red in colour, the wine reveals a complex and layered bouquet, with distinctive spicy notes accompanied by aromas of liquorice, hay and delicate hints of violet.

On the palate, it is fresh and structured, with good persistence and a balance that reflects the character of the Vesuvius area, while retaining energy and excellent drinkability.

The Grapes

Piedirosso

Piedirosso is a native Campanian grape variety that has been cultivated in the region since time immemorial and is second only to Aglianico in terms of vineyard area. It is also known by the dialect name “Per’ e palummo”, referring to a distinctive morphological feature of the bunch: the red-coloured pedicels resemble a pigeon’s foot. The variety is highly vigorous and ripens medium-late, generally during the first twenty days of October. Yields are moderate to low but consistent. The grapes achieve high sugar concentrations while maintaining moderate acidity. The bunches are medium to large, pyramidal in shape and loosely packed. The berries are medium-sized and spherical, with thick, reddish-purple skins covered by a pronounced bloom. Although Piedirosso also adapts well to calcareous soils, it finds its natural habitat in the volcanic soils of Campania.

The Grapes

Aglianico

Aglianico, of ancient Greek origin, is one of Campania’s most important red grape varieties. It is sometimes referred to as the “Barolo of the South” for the richness and depth of its aromas and its versatility across different winemaking styles. It thrives particularly well on volcanic soils. The bunches are compact and cylindrical, with spherical berries characterised by thin, heavily bloomed blue skins. The pulp has naturally high levels of acidity and astringency. Aglianico provides good and consistent yields and shows good resistance to cold and disease. The most traditional training system is bush-trained vines (alberello) with short pruning.

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