
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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Fuligni Brunello di Montalcino 2014Sangiovese from Montalcino, Tuscany, Italy
- D
- JS
- RP
- W&S
- WE
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Ceretto Barbaresco 2016Nebbiolo from Barbaresco, Piedmont, Italy
- WS
- JS
- RP
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Ceretto Barolo 2015Nebbiolo from Barolo, Piedmont, Italy
- RP
- WE
- WS
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Poggio al Tesoro Sondraia 2016Bordeaux Red Blends from Bolgheri, Tuscany, Italy
- V
- D
- JS
- RP
- WS
- WE
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Val D'Oca Prosecco Extra DryNon-Vintage Sparkling Wine from Prosecco, Italy
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Planeta Cometa Fiano 2018Fiano from Sicily, Italy
- WE
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Poggio di Sotto Brunello di Montalcino 2015Sangiovese from Montalcino, Tuscany, Italy
- RP
- D
- JS
- WE
- WS
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Petra Toscana Rosso 2014Bordeaux Red Blends from Tuscany, Italy
- WS
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Falesco Vitiano Rosso 2016Other Red Blends from Italy
- JS
- RP
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Paolo Conterno Ginestra Riserva 2011Nebbiolo from Barolo, Piedmont, Italy
- RP
- JS
- WS
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Boroli Barolo 2013Nebbiolo from Barolo, Piedmont, Italy
- JS
- WS
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Ceretto Brunate Barolo 2015Nebbiolo from Barolo, Piedmont, Italy
- RP
- JS
- WE
- WS
- D
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Allegrini Palazzo della Torre 2016Other Red Blends from Veneto, Italy
- JS
- WS
- WE
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Marcarini Barolo La Serra 2014Nebbiolo from Barolo, Piedmont, Italy
- WS
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Piancornello Brunello di Montalcino 2015Sangiovese from Montalcino, Tuscany, Italy
- JS
- RP
- V
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Masciarelli Montepulciano d'Abruzzo 2018Montepulciano from Abruzzo, Italy
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Cupcake Vineyards ProseccoNon-Vintage Sparkling Wine from Prosecco, Italy
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Camigliano Brunello di Montalcino 2015Sangiovese from Montalcino, Tuscany, Italy
- RP
- JS
- WS
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Campo alle Comete Cabernet Sauvignon 2016Cabernet Sauvignon from Tuscany, Italy
- JS
- WE
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Tenuta di Arceno Arcanum 2015Bordeaux Red Blends from Tuscany, Italy
- RP
- WS
- JS
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La Marca ProseccoNon-Vintage Sparkling Wine from Prosecco, Italy
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Ceretto Prapo Barolo 2015Nebbiolo from Barolo, Piedmont, Italy
- RP
- JS
- WE
- WS
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Tenuta Luce Lucente 2017Tuscan Blends from Tuscany, Italy
- JS
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Tenuta Sette Ponti Crognolo 2018Tuscan Blends from Tuscany, Italy
- JS
- RP
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Castellani Chianti Classico Riserva 2016Sangiovese from Chianti Classico, Chianti, Tuscany, Italy
- JS