Discovering Italian Wines: from Salerno to Castel San Lorenzo

The wine journey within the area of Salerno, starts from the city itself, symbolized by the stunning Castle of Arechi. The Longobard prince Arechi restored and enlarged his residence, on the basis of the previous Roman and Bizantyne building and, in virtue of the strategical position of the city, he made it his own fortress.

The Castle offers a great view of the whole Salerno and its marvellous gulf. The restored section of the castle houses a permanent exhibition of the material of the Castle, another exhibition's hall and a lecture hall.

The good wine Colli di Salerno, typical from the hills surrounding Salerno, can be white (fizzy, sweet or 'amabile' and passito); red (fizzy, sweet, passito and novello) or rosé (fizzy and sweet).

It is made by some specific species of vine, such as: Aglianico, Barbera, Coda di Volpe, Falanghina, Fiano, Greco, Moscato, Piedirosso, Primitivo, Sciascinoso (85%). It is allowed the use of grapes belonging to different vines, with similarly coloured berries, as long as they are authorized by the province of Salerno, for a maximum of 15%.

The Minerva Garden is a charming garden located in the heart of the Salernitan historical centre, where during the past the students of the Salernitan Medical School observed the plants with their names and main characteristics (ostensio simplicium). The Mediaeval garden has been recently discovered during an archaeological campaign. A very interesting series of elements ascribable between the XVII and XVIII century. A marvellous flight of steps, supported by a cruciform ground plan that prop up a wooden pergola, certainly is the distinguishing mark. A complex water system, composed by incredible canalizations, pools and fountains (one for each terracing), reveals the presence of conspicuous springs that, in the past, ensured the maintainance of thses plots of land.

At about 40 Km from Salerno, you will find Paestum, famous all over the world for the magnificent temples. Once there do not miss a great glass of Paestum IGT. It can be white (fizzy, sweet and passito), red (fizzy, sweet, passito and novello), rosé (fizzy and sweet). At about 40 Km from Paestum, through the B road SP 414, you will reach Castel San Lorenzo: a suggestive hamlet with a neat Mediaeval historical centre. The village offers three churches: the Romanesque Church of St Maria dell'Assunta, built in 1100 with one nave; the beautiful Church of St Giovanni Battista, built between 1700 and 1750, with enchanting painting attributable to the Neapolitan School; Church of SS Cosma and Damiano, where is venerated a charming statue just alike the one into the Sanctuary of the Mount of Novi Velia onto the Gelbison.

The village is also popular for the wine Castel San Lorenzo DOC, that has many delicious varieties: Castel San Lorenzo Moscato lambiccato, Castel San Lorenzo Moscato spumante, Castel San Lorenzo Barbera, Castel San Lorenzo rosé, Castel San Lorenzo red, Castel San Lorenzo white.

Castel San Lorenzo Barbera Riserva is super if accompanied with marinated, flavoured and oven-cooked sheep, rabbit "all'ischitana", Neapolitan been meatloaf, roasted pork and so on.

The white version is perfect with sea food, pies, minestrone, lasagne, caciocavallo and provola cheese.

Castel San Lorenzo Moscato accompanies, babbà, pastiera, sfogliatella and many other desserts.