
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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Conti Costanti Brunello di Montalcino Riserva (1.5 Liter Magnum) 2010Sangiovese from Montalcino, Tuscany, Italy
- WE
- D
- W&S
- RP
- WS
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Paolo Scavino Barolo Carobric (1.5 Liter Magnum) 2013Nebbiolo from Barolo, Piedmont, Italy
- JS
- WS
- WE
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Paolo Scavino Barolo Cannubi (1.5 Liter Magnum) 2013Nebbiolo from Barolo, Piedmont, Italy
- JS
- WS
- WE
- RP
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G.D. Vajra Barolo Albe (1.5 Liter Magnum) 2010Nebbiolo from Barolo, Piedmont, Italy
- WE
- WS
- D
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Bruna Grimaldi Barolo Badarina (1.5 Liter Magnum) 2016Nebbiolo from Barolo, Piedmont, Italy
- WE
- RP
- JS
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Paolo Scavino Barolo Prapo (1.5 Liter Magnum) 2015Nebbiolo from Barolo, Piedmont, Italy
- WE
- RP
- JS
- WS
- W&S
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Cordero di Montezemolo Barolo Monfalletto (1.5L Magnum) 2015Nebbiolo from Barolo, Piedmont, Italy
- JS
- RP
- WE
- WS
- W&S
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Cordero di Montezemolo Barolo Monfalletto (1.5L Magnum) 2010Nebbiolo from Barolo, Piedmont, Italy
- WE
- RP
- JS
- WS
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Massolino Vigna Margheria Barolo (1.5 Liter Magnum) 2011Nebbiolo from Barolo, Piedmont, Italy
- WS
- RP
- WE
- JS
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Paolo Scavino Barolo Cannubi (1.5 Liter Magnum) 2015Nebbiolo from Barolo, Piedmont, Italy
- JS
- WS
- RP
- WE
- W&S
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G.D. Vajra Barolo Albe (1.5 Liter Magnum) 2012Nebbiolo from Barolo, Piedmont, Italy
- WS
- WE
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Gaja Sori Tildin (1.5 Liter Magnum) 2015Nebbiolo from Barbaresco, Piedmont, Italy
- JS
- D
- WS
- WE
- RP
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Paolo Scavino Barolo Monvigliero (1.5 Liter Magnum) 2016Nebbiolo from Barolo, Piedmont, Italy
- WE
- V
- RP
- JS
- WS
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Conti Costanti Brunello di Montalcino (3 Liter Bottle) 2008Sangiovese from Montalcino, Tuscany, Italy
- RP
- WE
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Conti Costanti Brunello di Montalcino Riserva (1.5 Liter Magnum) 2012Sangiovese from Montalcino, Tuscany, Italy
- WE
- W&S
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Gaja Costa Russi (1.5 Liter Magnum) 2014Nebbiolo from Barbaresco, Piedmont, Italy
- WE
- WS
- JS
- RP
- D
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Gaja Costa Russi (1.5 Liter Magnum) 2015Nebbiolo from Barbaresco, Piedmont, Italy
- WE
- JS
- D
- WS
- RP
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Gaja Sori Tildin (1.5 Liter Magnum) 2014Nebbiolo from Barbaresco, Piedmont, Italy
- JS
- JD
- WE
- WS
- RP
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Luigi Einaudi Barolo Cannubi (3 Liter) 2016Nebbiolo from Barolo, Piedmont, Italy
- JS
- WE
- WS
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Damilano Barolo Cannubi (3 Liter Bottle) 2012Nebbiolo from Barolo, Piedmont, Italy
- JS
- WS
- RP
- WE
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Marchesi di Barolo Barolo Sarmassa (1.5 Liter Magnum) 2011Nebbiolo from Barolo, Piedmont, Italy
- WE
- RP
- JS
- WS
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Massolino Vigna Margheria Barolo (1.5 Liter Magnum) 2012Nebbiolo from Barolo, Piedmont, Italy
- WS
- WE
- JS
- RP
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Damilano Barolo Cannubi (1.5 Liter Magnum) 2012Nebbiolo from Barolo, Piedmont, Italy
- JS
- WS
- RP
- WE
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G.D. Vajra Barolo Albe (3 Liter Bottle) 2010Nebbiolo from Barolo, Piedmont, Italy
- WE
- WS
- D
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Tenuta di Biserno Lodovico (1.5 Liter Magnum) 2011Bordeaux Red Blends from Tuscany, Italy
- JS
- D
- WE
- RP
- WS