The Italy Wine Project

Regions / Campania

DOCStill huntingModerate

Penisola Sorrentina DOC

The DOC that matters for Gragnano, the lightly sparkling, semi-dry red that Neapolitans drink cold with pizza. Made from Piedirosso, Sciascinoso and Aglianico with a short tank fermentation, it's deep purple, foamy, low in alcohol and tastes of wild strawberry, blackberry, violet and a faint earthiness with a soft, slightly sweet finish. Lettere is the same idea from the next village. The still Sorrento whites are simple, salty Falanghina blends. Gragnano is fun, cheap and a real regional tradition, and it has a small cult following in US pizzerias.

Still hunting

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Bottles I'm chasing

ProducerWinePriceBuy
Grotta del Sole
Penisola Sorrentina Gragnano Rosso Frizzante
The Gragnano most likely to be on a US shelf; purple, foamy, wild strawberry and violet, serve cold with pizza.
$16 to $22Wine-Searcher
Iovine
Penisola Sorrentina Gragnano
Family estate in Pimonte that specializes in Gragnano and Lettere; a touch drier and more savory than Grotta del Sole.
$16 to $22Wine-Searcher
Grotta del Sole
Penisola Sorrentina Lettere Rosso Frizzante
The neighboring subzone's version, slightly softer and fruitier; useful to taste against the Gragnano.
$16 to $22Wine-Searcher