
Italian Wine
Learn about Italian red and white wine, regions and more ...
Named “Oenotria” by the ancient Greeks for its abundance of grapevines, Italy has always had a culture virtually inextricable from 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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Castello di Volpaia Chianti Classico Riserva 2016Sangiovese from Chianti Classico, Chianti, Tuscany, Italy
- WS
- JS
- D
- RP
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Vietti Barolo Brunate 2015Nebbiolo from Barolo, Piedmont, Italy
- JS
- RP
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Querciabella Chianti Classico 2015Sangiovese from Chianti Classico, Chianti, Tuscany, Italy
- D
- JS
- WS
- W&S
- RP
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Bellissima Zero Sugar Sparkling WineNon-Vintage Sparkling Wine from Prosecco, Italy
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Syltbar Il Concerto ProseccoNon-Vintage Sparkling Wine from Prosecco, Italy
- WW
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Castello di Bossi Chianti Classico Riserva Berardo 2015Sangiovese from Chianti Classico, Chianti, Tuscany, Italy
- JS
- WS
- RP
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Vietti Barolo Ravera 2000Nebbiolo from Barolo, Piedmont, Italy
- WS
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Vietti Barolo Castiglione 2015Nebbiolo from Barolo, Piedmont, Italy
- JS
- RP
- WS
- WE
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Tiamo Pinot Grigio 2018Pinot Gris/Grigio from Veneto, Italy
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Poggio di Sotto Brunello di Montalcino 2011Sangiovese from Montalcino, Tuscany, Italy
- WE
- RP
- JS
- WS
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Marchesi di Barolo Tradizione Barbaresco 2014Nebbiolo from Barbaresco, Piedmont, Italy
- WE
- JS
- RP
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Tenuta delle Terre Nere Etna Rosso 2018Other Red Blends from Sicily, Italy
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La Spinetta Barolo Campe 2007Nebbiolo from Barolo, Piedmont, Italy
- RP
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Vietti Barolo Rocche 2015Nebbiolo from Barolo, Piedmont, Italy
- JS
- RP
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Il Palagio Sister Moon 2013Tuscan Blends from Tuscany, Italy
- JS
- RP
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Ziobaffa Organic Toscana 2013Sangiovese from Tuscany, Italy
- JS
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Belguardo Maremma Toscana 2015Cabernet Sauvignon from Tuscany, Italy
- JS
- RP
- WS
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Ziobaffa Organic Pinot Grigio 2018Pinot Gris/Grigio from Puglia, Italy
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Tasca d'Almerita Lamuri Nero d'Avola Sicilia 2016Nero d'Avola from Sicily, Italy
- V
- JS
- D
- RP
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Tormaresca Torcicoda Primitivo 2015Primitivo from Italy
- JS
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Candoni Organic Pinot Grigio 2018Pinot Gris/Grigio from Veneto, Italy
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Vietti Roero Arneis 2017Arneis from Roero, Piedmont, Italy
- RP
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Ciacci Piccolomini d'Aragona Toscana Rosso 2016Tuscan Blends from Tuscany, Italy
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Tenuta delle Terre Nere Etna Rosso Feudo di Mezzo 2017Other Red Blends from Sicily, Italy
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La Spinetta Barolo Campe 2015Nebbiolo from Barolo, Piedmont, Italy
- JS
- RP