Toward an Integrated Definition of “Volcanic Wine”

Introduction

The term “volcanic wine” is widely used in contemporary agronomy and oenology; on the other hand, it still lacks a precise and universally accepted scientific definition. In a narrow sense, it refers to wines produced from vineyards established on soils derived from active volcanoes due to lava flows, ash deposits, or pyroclastic materials in general. However, this definition requires further refinement and expansion.

Methods

This contribution proposes a broader and more inclusive framework in which “volcanic wine” encompasses not only wines from active volcanoes but also those produced on soils originating from quiescent or extinct volcanoes. Such a broad definition may also be extended to non-volcanic areas significantly influenced by nearby volcanic activity through deposition of volcanic ash. This approach acknowledges the spatial and temporal complexity of volcanic influence on viticultural environments.

The study is based on a volcanological, landscape analysis, and wine tasting integrated approach. A systematic review of different volcanic and non-volcanic areas and their soils, along with professional tasting of representative wines, was conducted with the aim of correlating the wines’ organoleptic properties with the mineral characteristics of the territories. The analysis focused on different Italian geological districts, including Vesuvio, Campi Flegrei, Etna, Mount Vulture, Mounts Lessini-Soave, Bolsena Lake-Orvieto, Irpinia, and Sorrento Peninsula, among others.

Results and Conclusions

From an organoleptic viewpoint, wines produced in volcano-related contexts are associated with high acidity, pronounced salinity, and perceived mineral notes. On the other hand, these wines can show different structure and roundness depending on the geological history of the volcanic systems, whether these latter are active or not, or are purely volcanic or not.

Accordingly, “volcanic wine” will be understood not as a rigid category, but as an integrated construct emerging from the dynamic interaction between geological substrate, environmental factors, and human practices, allowing for a more nuanced and scientifically grounded expression of territory.