Lacryma Christi del Vesuvio DOC Bianco 1998

Produced exclusively from the ancient Coda de Volpe varietal (which translates to "tail of the fox", a name coined by Pliny the Elder for the shape of the grape clusters) the 1998 Mastroberardino Lacryma Christi del Vesuvio Bianco is a spicy, fruit-filled wine of great depth. Medium bodied with the aromas and flavors of honey, liquid minerals and piecrust, this Campanion beauty has been likened to an exquisite dry Riesling with a taste of the Mediterranean sun in its veins. Extremely well made, this wine exhibits charm as well as intrigue from its pretty, pale yellow appearance to its long, classy finish.

Seafood, especially shellfish, is the ideal accompaniment to the 1998 Mastroberardino Lacryma Christi del Vesuvio Bianco. Shrimp, prawns, scallops and langoustines are all excellent choices with this Lacryma Bianco. Moreover, many local cognoscenti suggest "chioppino", a thick, rich tomato-based fish stew that serves as the Italian version of bouillabaisse, as the perfect soul mate for Mastroberardino's Lacryma Bianco; and we can certainly support that claim, having feasted on chioppino in the company of this exquisite wine.

For nearly three centuries, Mastroberardino has been vinifying grapes traditional to the region of Campania, varieties favored by the Greeks and Romans millenniums ago. Today, armed with a progressive mindset and a state of the art winemaking operation, the family interprets these "archeological" vines for modern tastes, producing a host of wines as contemporary as they are rich in history. Making use of Campania's rugged terrain and its highly variable climate with four distinct zones, Mastroberardino turns out a large number of unique and highly individual tasting wines, though none more famous than Lacryma Christi. Known as the world's foremost producer of both white and red Lacryma Christi, this family has raised this DOC on the slopes of Mount Vesuvius to new heights. Lacryma Christi means "tears of Christ", a reference to the legend of Lucifer's expulsion from heaven. It is said that Christ wept when he saw the devil steal away a piece of paradise. His tears then gave root to vines from which the wine, Lacryma Christi is made. In addition to the legendary Lacryma Christi wines, Mastroberardino also produces the world's finest Taurasi in the hinterlands of the Campania, as well as a score of excellent varietal offerings from ancient grapes.