TN: Tears of Christ and a Felsina CC

DaleW

Lacryma Christi del Vesuvio has long been a wine with a famous name, but in the past it could be some of the worst wine that Italy exported under a place name. The present Mastroberardino, and one or two others,are at least well made, but seldom are among the top wines of Campania. Besides the white, I have tasted the red and a slightly sparkling white in the distant past. The red had more character than the white, but was rather ordinary. The less said about the slightly sparkling white, the better. There also is supposed to be a pink version that I have never had.

Mastroberardino, and now 2 or 3 others, make Greco di Tufo that has much more character and substance than most Lacryma. Mastroberardino bottles more than one quality, with top examples being very good indeed.

Mastroberardino and a few others also make Fiano di Avellino that can be very good for the best quality bottles. Since it is more famous than Greco, it tends to cost more. I have often found that I like Greco just as well as Fiano, and Greco often costs less. Neither top Greco or Fiano are the bargin that they were several years ago. Of course the tastes of Greco and Fiano are rather different, as would be expected from wines made from different grapes.