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17. The sides of Mt. Vesuvius were know for their wine

Vesuvio Wine

Vesuvio's vineyards are found on the slopes of the still-active volcano Mount Vesuvius, east of Naples. For years the area was regarded as incapable of producing any quality wines but, thanks to the influence of the highly regarded winemaker Antonio Mastroberardino, quality is on the up and the wines have taken off in popularity. This was recognized when Vesuvio was awarded its DOC status in 1983.

These wines can be produced in several styles: red, white, rosé, sparkling and liquoroso (the latter can be either dry or sweet). White wine must be made from a minimum of 35–80 percent Coda di Volpe (a variety derived from the ancient Roman vines of Campania Felix and reminiscent of a fox’s tail, due to the way the grapes grow in a long bunch) and/or Verdecca grapes. The remaining 20 percent includes Falanghina or Greco grapes. The liquoroso is made from the same blend. However a complicating factor is that Coda di Volpe may be confused in the vineyard with the local grape variety Caprettone.

Wines which qualify for the DOC, but have an alcohol level 1 to 1.5 percent higher than the basic Vesuvio qualification also carry the name Lacryma Christi (del Vesuvio), meaning "the tears of Christ of Vesuvius". A glance at the Wine-Searcher database suggests the vast majority of exported wines from Vesuvio are labeled this way.

There are many myths surrounding the name of this wine. One such legend relates the simple story of when Jesus ascended into heaven, and on casting his eyes over the beautiful Bay of Naples he wept tears of joy, which fell upon Mount Vesuvius causing vines to grow. Another tells of Christ weeping onto the land over the casting out of Lucifer and the fallen angels. In a variation of this tale, angry that they were forced to leave, the fallen angels took a piece of heaven with them which landed on Mount Vesuvius, leading to tears of sadness from Jesus. An earlier version attributes the tears of joy to the Roman god of wine, Bacchus.

Rosés and red wine must include a minimum of 80 percent Piedirosso (locally known as Per'e Palummo, or Palombina), a variety named for the gnarled red bases of the vines and its similarity to the red feet of a native dove, and/or Sciascinoso (locally known as Olivella). There must be no less than 50 percent Piedirosso, and the remaining 20 percent Aglianico. Whites and rosés are usually produced for immediate consumption, unlike the reds which require a little age. The reds display a quintessential character of smoky, mineral flavors, derived from the volcanic soil on which the grapes are cultivated. They also take on notes of plums, raspberries and cherries, enveloped in spices such as cinnamon and white pepper.

https://www.wine-searcher.com/regions-vesuvio#:~:text=Vesuvio's%20vineyards%20are%20found%20on,Mount%20Vesuvius%2C%20east%20of%20Naples.&text=These%20wines%20can%20be%20produced,be%20either%20dry%20or%20sweet).