
Italian Wine
Learn about Italian wine, common tasting notes, where the region is and more ...
Italian Wine
Named “Oenotria” by the ancient Greeks for its abundance of grapevines, Italy has always had a culture virtually inextricable from red, white and sparkling wine. Wine grapes grow in every region throughout Italy—a long and narrow boot-shaped peninsula extending into the Mediterranean.
Italian Wine Regions
Naturally, most Italian wine regions enjoy a Mediterranean climate and a notable coastline, if not coastline on all borders, as is the case with the islands of Sicily and Sardinia. The Alps in the northern regions of Valle d'Aosta, Lombardy and Alto Adige create favorable conditions for cool-climate grape varieties. The Apennine Mountains, extending from Liguria in the north to Calabria in the south, affect climate, grape variety and harvest periods throughout. Considering the variable terrain and conditions, it is still safe to say that most high quality viticulture in Italy takes place on picturesque hillsides.
Italian Grape Varieties
Italy boasts more indigenous grape varieties than any other country—between 500 and 800, depending on whom you ask—and most Italian wine production relies upon these native grapes. In some regions, international varieties have worked their way in, but are declining in popularity, especially as younger growers take interest in reviving local varieties. Most important are Sangiovese, reaching its greatest potential in Tuscany, as well as Nebbiolo, the prized grape of Piedmont, producing single varietal, age-worthy Piedmontese wines. Other important varieties include Corvina, Montepulciano, Barbera, Nero d’Avola and of course the white wines, Trebbiano, Verdicchio and Garganega. The list goes on.
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Italian Wine Gift SetMixed Collections from Italy
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Mazzei Chianti Classico Riserva Ser Lapo 2016Sangiovese from Chianti Classico, Chianti, Tuscany, Italy
- D
- JS
- WS
- RP
- W&S
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Tenuta di Nozzole Chianti Classico Riserva 2017Sangiovese from Chianti Classico, Chianti, Tuscany, Italy
- JS
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Tenuta San Guido Sassicaia 2017Bordeaux Red Blends from Bolgheri, Tuscany, Italy
- WE
- D
- V
- JS
- WS
- RP
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Caparzo Brunello di Montalcino 2015Sangiovese from Montalcino, Tuscany, Italy
- JS
- RP
- WS
- WE
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Santa Margherita Pinot Grigio 2019Pinot Gris/Grigio from Italy
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Nino Franco Rustico Prosecco SuperioreNon-Vintage Sparkling Wine from Valdobbiadene, Prosecco, Italy
- WE
- WW
- JS
- W&S
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Petra Zingari Toscana 2017Tuscan Blends from Tuscany, Italy
- WS
- JS
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La Marca ProseccoNon-Vintage Sparkling Wine from Prosecco, Italy
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Ziobaffa Organic Toscana 2015Sangiovese from Tuscany, Italy
- JS
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Cavit Pinot Grigio 2019Pinot Gris/Grigio from Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Italy
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Poggio Antico Brunello di Montalcino 2015Sangiovese from Montalcino, Tuscany, Italy
- JS
- RP
- WS
- WE
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Santa Cristina by Antinori Pinot Grigio 2019Pinot Gris/Grigio from Italy
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Castellani Sangiovese 2014Sangiovese from Tuscany, Italy
- JS
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Antinori Villa Antinori Chianti Classico Riserva 2016Sangiovese from Chianti Classico, Chianti, Tuscany, Italy
- WS
- RP
- JS
- D
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Castello di Monsanto Chianti Classico Riserva 2017Sangiovese from Chianti Classico, Chianti, Tuscany, Italy
- JS
- WS
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Santa Margherita Prosecco SuperioreNon-Vintage Sparkling Wine from Valdobbiadene, Prosecco, Italy
- D
- WW
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Adriano Marco e Vittorio Basarin Barbaresco 2017Nebbiolo from Barbaresco, Piedmont, Italy
- WE
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Mionetto Prosecco BrutNon-Vintage Sparkling Wine from Prosecco, Italy
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Cusumano Nero d'Avola 2019Nero d'Avola from Sicily, Italy
- JS
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La Marca Prosecco (187ML Split)Non-Vintage Sparkling Wine from Prosecco, Italy
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Ferrari BrutNon-Vintage Sparkling Wine from Trentino, Trentino-Alto Adige, Italy
- WW
- JS
- WE
- WS
- V
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Attems Pinot Grigio 2019Pinot Gris/Grigio from Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Italy
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Ziobaffa Organic Pinot Grigio 2019Pinot Gris/Grigio from Puglia, Italy
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Vietti Barolo Castiglione 2016Nebbiolo from Barolo, Piedmont, Italy
- JS
- JD
- WW
- RP
- D
- WS