The winemaking tradition of Campania goes back about three millennia. The rocky slopes of the island of Capri, which have been put into cultivation through the building of innumerable small terraces, provide an extremely favourable habitat for vines and many other plants. In 29 BC, the Emperor Augustus Caesar, impressed by the beauty of the island, acquired it in exchange for the larger island of Ischia, which he already owned. Between 27 and 37, his successor, the Emperor Tiberius took up residence on Capri, constructing on the island 12 splendid villas dedicated to as many gods of Olympus. And for a decade he governed the Roman Empire from the Villa Jovis. The wine produced on the island, the Capri, was particularly appreciated by Tiberius, who was nicknamed Biberius (Lush) by his subjects. Over the centuries, the island's inhabitants have continued to tend the vines, planting them even in the ruins of the emperor's villas, so that those who drink the wine today can feel that they are in physical contact with the glorious ancient world. The wine has long represented one of the island's attractions and its quality was clearly ratified by the granting of the DOC recognition in 1977. Vinified from grapes of the Falanghina, Greco and Biancolella varieties, the Capri Bianco is recommended with crustaceans and fish prepared in sauces. The Capri Rosso, made for the most part from Piedirosso grapes, is suggested as a wine for the whole meal and especially with roasted white meats and main courses of Neapolitan rustic cuisine.