Campania, the region surrounding the city of Naples, is at the center of southern Italy's wine renaissance. This is home to the Amalfi Coast, the isle of Capri, Mt. Vesuvius, and of pizza. The rich soil and temperate climate here are ideal for growing all kinds of fruits and vegetables. Campania's top three wines come from the Irpinia hills area, just outside of Naples: the red Taurasi, and the white Fiano di Avellino and Greco di Tufo wines. Taurasi is a full-bodied red wine that requires aging, like her northern cousins, Barolo, Barbaresco, and Brunello. Good vintages of this powerful, tannic, complex wine are at their best when aged 15 to 20 years. Fiano di Avellino is Southern Italy's leading dry, white wine. It is delicate with overtones of pear and almonds. Unlike most white wines, Fiano di Avellino improves with at least five to six years aging and good vintages are drinkable up to fifteen years. Greco di Tufo was introduced to Italy by the Greeks over 2000 years ago. It thrives in the volcanic soil just outside the small village of Tufo. This wine is crisp and intensely fruity. Greco di Tufo is usually ready to drink in three to five years and can age up to about twelve years. Lacryma Christi del Vesuvio (literally: the tears of Christ at Vesuvius) is grown on the terraced slopes of Mt. Vesuvius, the infamous volcano that looms over Naples. The area's rich volcanic soil produces very good red, white, and rose wines. All three are designated "Lacryma Christi." There is even a sparkling (spumante) version. The region of Puglia, centered along the Adriatic Sea, is another southern Italian wine mecca. Negroamaro, Primitivo, and Malvasia Nera - all red - are the three main grapes grown here. Salento wines are dark, robust, and full-bodied with ripe fruit flavors and a high alcohol content. The Salento peninsula is arid and flat with palm trees and cactus plants. This difficult soil combined with the cool evening breezes from the Adriatic are perfect for producing complex red wines. Castel del Monte was first made in Puglia in the 13th century. This wine's namesake, medieval castle still stands. Castel del Monte can be a blended red, white, or rose wine. The red (rosso) is a dry wine made from mostly Uva di Troila or Aglianico grapes. The white (bianco) is made from Chardonnay or Pampanuto, a local grape. Both wines are soft and very dry. Sicily, the largest island in the Mediterranean, also has a rich wine history. For almost 4000 years, Sicilians have been producing wine. Today they produce about 1/6 of Italy's wine, the majority of it white wine. This is a perfect accompaniment to the fresh seafood and fish that abound in Sicily. Sicily is also noted for its fortified wines, like Marsala, and its dessert wines, such as Moscato. Catarratto Bianco is the island's most-planted white wine grape. Nero d'Avola is the main red grape. In general, Sicilian wines are light-bodied and dry. They go well with the cuisine of the island: pasta, veal, and seafood. The wines of southern Italy are improving their quality and their production with each vintage. They are affordable and increasingly available. Watch for them at a wine store or restaurant near you.