Description
Cantine Olivella is situated in the three municipalities of Sant’Anastasia, Pollena Trocchia & Somma Vesuviana, within the Vesuvius National Park, between 300-650m above sea level, producing wines from local grape varieties of Catalanesca, Caprettone and Piedirosso.
The area is protected, making it the ideal location to cultivate un-grafted vines in volcanic sandy soil.
Cantine Olivella’s name originated from an ancient spring located on Mount Somma which supplied water to the Royal Palace of the Bourbon Kings.
Lacryma Christi Rosso, or tears of Christ, is one of the most traditional wines from Campania. There are many stories of how Lacryma Christi received its name. One legend tells that when Jesus was ascending to Heaven, he glanced down at the earth, saw the Bay of Naples and Mount Vesuvius and wept tears of joy at its beauty. Those tears fell on the slopes of Mount Vesuvius and vines miraculously grew in their place. Another story is based on winemaking techniques used by local monks in Campania. Lacryma Christi has been produced since the Roman Empire and as the monks didn’t have any filtering equipment, juice was instead passed through a canvas. As the wine fell drop-by-drop through the material, it was said to look like tears.
Manual harvesting takes place with whole bunches pressed gently. Only the first pressing must is selected in a cool environment, ensuring none of the organoleptic elegance or structure is lost.
Grape Varieties: 50% Piedirosso, 30% Olivella, 20% Aglianico
Vinification: Gentle whole pressing, with fermentation in stainless steel tanks with skin contact. The wine spends a further seven months in stainless steel tanks with an additional 3 months in the bottle before release.
Tasting Notes: Bright ruby in the glass, fruit driven with notes of ripe cherries, blueberries and plums with a hint of figs and liquorice. On the palate, medium bodied, with a fine balance between acidity and tannins with a long aftertaste.
Alcohol: 13%
Serving temperature: 16-18C
Ideal With: Roast meats, semi hard cheeses and parmigiana di melanzane