Caprettone is a white grape variety found in Campania, particularly the volcanic soils of the Vesuvius national park. It is used primarily in the Lacryma Christi style wines of the Vesuvio DOC.
For many years Caprettone was considered to be a clone of Coda di Volpe, one of Campania’s secondary white grape varieties. DNA analysis has proven the two to be distinct, a finding that will hopefully benefit both in the long run. As a consequence, there is very little reliable information about how much Caprettone is actually planted. Additionally, understanding the true picture could take several years due to the historic tendency to plant the two varieties together.
In the vineyard they look similar, although knowing there is a distinction allows us to easily identify Coda di Volpe’s ‘fox tail’ appearance. Its large compact berries contrast with the smaller ones of Caprettone.
The Caprettone we know about is receiving increased attention from a new generation of producers who are keen to follow the general trend of rescuing and showcasing indigenous grape varieties. Along with Catalanesca, it is considered an important component of white wines made in the Vesuvio DOC. Even in the blended Lacryma Christi whites (now part of the same Vesuvio appellation), Caprettone is becoming more prominent.
