Southern Italy History

Question 1

Historically, when did wines from the South of Italy have a lot of prominence?

Answer 1

At the height of the Roman Empire in the 1st Century CE through the 4th Century.

Question 2

In what satirical novel were the wines of Campania mentioned?

Answer 2

Petronius’ satirical novel Satyricon.

Question 3

What Falernian vintage was legendary?

Answer 3

121 BCE

Question 4

Grape varieties in Campania are likely descendants or produced from varieties from where?

Answer 4

Greece

Question 5

Southern Italy produces what percentage of Italian wines today.

Answer 5

About 21%

Question 6

What percentage of Campanian wines are DOC?

Answer 6

Less than 10%

Question 7

When was the town of Pompeii engulfed in lava from Mount Vesuvius?

Answer 7

Prior to 79 AD

Question 8

Why did quality in Southern Italy diminish?

Answer 8

The government encouraged farmers to produce high yielding grape varieties of low quality. The government handed out subsidies to those who did but this excluded regions that were producing low yielding, high quality wines. As a result, prime wine sites and historic vineyards were abandoned in favor of higher yielding sites.