ITALIAN WINE

Italy is renowned worldwide for its extensive selection of grape varieties, with over a hundred distinct types cultivated throughout the country. This means there is also a diverse and delicious range of Italian wines to try! Some of the best-known wines from Italy include:

• Chianti – The iconic red with cherry and plum notes
• Barolo – Also known as the ‘King of Wines’, a robust red known for its ability to age well.
• Soave – A dry and light white with subtle floral scents and flavours of pear and citrus.
• Prosecco – Italy’s famous sparkling wine, loved for its green apple, melon and pear flavours.

The Italian wine industry covers several world-famous wine regions, such as Tuscany, Piedmont, Veneto and Sicily. With so much choice, there’s every reason to sample wines from each region to find your favourite.

Wine production in Italy is believed to have started as far back as the 8th century BC. The Mycenaean Greeks, the region’s early inhabitants, referred to it as Oenotria, meaning ‘the land of vines’.

Over the centuries, different groups have contributed to Italy’s winemaking story. The Etruscans and Greek settlers cultivated vines and initiated large-scale winemaking, while the Romans later refined production techniques. During the Middle Ages, monks developed grape varieties and introduced the concept of named vineyards.

Modern Italian winemaking began in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Winemaking practices have evolved ever since, leading to the Italian wine styles we enjoy today – many of which you can find in our online store.

Italy has many prestigious wine regions, each with its distinct terroir:

• Abruzzo – Situated in central Italy, Abruzzo is best known for Montepulciano d’Abruzzo, a robust red wine made from the Montepulciano grape.
• Emilia-Romagna – This region is famous for its slightly sweet, frizzante Lambrusco wines.
• Lombardy – Located in the north, Lombardy is best known for its sparkling wines, Franciacorta and Lambrusco. The region also produces fine reds from the Nebbiolo grape in the Valtellina area.
• Piedmont – Situated in northwest Italy, Piedmont’s fertile soils are perfect for producing prestigious wines such as Barolo and Barbaresco. The region also offers stunning white wines, such as Moscato d’Asti.
• Puglia – In the ‘heel’ of Italy’s boot, Puglia produces robust, full-bodied reds from the Primitivo and Negroamaro grapes.
• Sicily – As the largest island in the Mediterranean, Sicily offers a range of wines due to its hot, dry and volcanic soil. The island’s standout red is Nero d’Avola. Aromatic white wines such as Grillo and Catarratto are also popular.
• Trentino-Alto Adige – Located in northern Italy, this region is known for its crisp white wines, particularly those made from the Pinot Grigio and Gewürztraminer grapes. It’s also known for excellent sparkling wines.
• Tuscany – This scenic central region produces iconic wines such as Chianti, Brunello di Montalcino and Vino Nobile di Montepulciano. These are all predominantly made from the Sangiovese grape. Tuscany is also recognised for ‘Super Tuscan’ wines, a high-quality blend of native and international varieties like Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot.
• Veneto – This northeastern region is known for producing a large volume of wine, including the famous Prosecco, a sparkling wine made from Glera grapes, as well as Amarone della Valpolicella, a rich red wine.

Italy’s wine appellation system ensures the quality and authenticity of its wines. This system is organised into four main categories, each representing a different level of quality:

• DOCG (Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita) – As the top tier in the system, achieving a DOCG label is challenging, with only 78 wine appellations holding this title. Wines in this category must meet strict rules about the type of grapes used and their winemaking techniques. They are also subject to approval by a panel of tasting experts.
• DOC (Denominazione di Origine Controllata) – while a step below DOCG, DOC wines still represent high-quality offerings. About 330 DOC appellations in Italy offer a wide range of prestigious wines, from the crisp Prosecco to the rich Nero d’Avola.
• IGT (Indicazione Geografica Tipica) – This category requires wines to meet geographical criteria, with all grapes sourced from the specified Italian wine region. While the quality seems lower, many exceptional wines fall under this distinction. For instance, the famous Super Tuscans are labelled as IGT wines, often as a challenge to the stricter restrictions of the DOCG and DOC categories.
• VdT (Vino da Tavola) – Translating to ‘table wine’, VdT represents the most basic level of Italian wine classification. These wines only require the grapes to be grown in Italy (rather than a specific wine region). Although this category represents lower-tier wines, they still offer unique and interesting flavours.

Italy is home to a range of distinctive white wines, each with its unique palate of flavours and characteristics.

Here are some popular examples:

• Gavi – Originating from the Cortese grape in Italy’s northern Piedmont region, Gavi is recognised for its harmonious and refreshing taste. Look for mature flavours such as apple, peach and lemon.
• Pinot Grigio – Loved worldwide, Pinot Grigio has a light and zesty profile with fresh, crisp notes and apple, pear and white flower flavours.
• Soave – From the northeastern Veneto region of Italy, Soave is primarily made from the Garganega grape. This wine is often dry and light in body, with subtle floral scents and ripe pear, citrus and almond flavours. Its vibrant acidity makes it a great companion for a variety of dishes.
• Verdicchio – Made in the Marche region, Verdicchio is a bright, dry white wine with citrus and almond flavours. It’s often singled out as one of the most versatile Italian white wines.

Italy is acclaimed for its wide array of red wines. Some standout Italian reds include:

• Barolo – Frequently hailed as the ‘King of Wines’, Barolo is made from the Nebbiolo grape and holds the DOCG label. One of Italy’s most distinguished reds, it’s known for its flavours of rose petals and dried herbs. Barolo is aged for at least 38 months, of which at least 18 months must be in wooden barrels – however, many producers extend this. This rich and robust red pairs perfectly with red meats and subtle cheeses.
• Barbaresco – Like Barolo, Barbaresco is also crafted from Nebbiolo grapes. However, it’s known for its softer tannins and structure. Those who enjoy red wines will enjoy its complex blend of cherry, cinnamon and aromatic sweetness.
• Chianti – Originally from the heart of Tuscany, Chianti is an iconic Italian red wine. It has vibrant cherry and plum notes balanced by earthy and spicy undertones. Mainly made from Sangiovese grapes, Chianti boasts a medium body that makes it adaptable to a variety of food pairings.

Italian sparkling wines, or ‘spumante’, cover a broad range of styles:

• Asti Spumante – Awarded DOCG status in 1993, Asti Spumante is a very popular sparkling wine. Made from Moscato Bianco grapes, it’s sweet and vibrantly effervescent, bursting with peach, nectarine and orange blossom flavours. It embodies the rich winemaking tradition of Piedmont.
• Franciacorta – Often seen as Italy’s answer to Champagne, Franciacorta is a wonderful sparkling wine from Lombardy. Made with Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Blanc, Franciacorta typically has a fuller body and more complex taste than Prosecco. Its flavours range from lemon and peach to brioche and toast.
• Prosecco – Italy’s most famous bubbly, Prosecco comes from the northeastern region. Known for its refreshing fizziness, the sparkling wine is made from the Glera grape. It has crisp green apple, honeydew melon, pear and honeysuckle flavours.