
Italian Wine
Champion of Versatility
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 wines. 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 Bossi Chianti Classico Riserva Berardo 2016Sangiovese from Chianti Classico, Chianti, Tuscany, Italy
- JS
- WS
- RP
- WE
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Ziobaffa Organic Toscana 2017Sangiovese from Tuscany, Italy
- JS
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Donnafugata Mille e una Notte 2017Nero d'Avola from Sicily, Italy
- JS
- RP
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Avignonesi Vino Nobile di Montepulciano 2017Sangiovese from Montepulciano, Tuscany, Italy
- JS
- WE
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Villa Sandi Il Fresco ProseccoNon-Vintage Sparkling Wine from Prosecco, Italy
- W&S
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Argiano Brunello di Montalcino 2017Sangiovese from Montalcino, Tuscany, Italy
- JS
- RP
- WE
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Ziobaffa Organic Pinot Grigio 2021Pinot Gris/Grigio from Puglia, Italy
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Patrizi Gavi Di Gavi 2020Cortese from Gavi, Piedmont, Italy
- WW
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Col d'Orcia Brunello di Montalcino 2017Sangiovese from Montalcino, Tuscany, Italy
- RP
- WS
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Vietti Barolo Brunate 2018Nebbiolo from La Morra, Piedmont, Italy
- JS
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Donnafugata Ben Rye (375ML half-bottle) 2018Other Dessert from Sicily, Italy
- D
- RP
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Vietti Moscato d'Asti 2021Muscat from Asti, Piedmont, Italy
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Azelia Barolo Cerretta 2017Nebbiolo from Serralunga d'Alba, Piedmont, Italy
- JS
- WS
- JD
- RP
- WE
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Arnaldo Rivera Barolo Ravera 2015Nebbiolo from Barolo, Piedmont, Italy
- JS
- WS
- WE
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Suavia Soave Classico 2020Garganega from Soave, Veneto, Italy
- WS
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Ferrari BrutNon-Vintage Sparkling Wine from Trentino, Trentino-Alto Adige, Italy
- JS
- WE
- WW
- RP
- WS
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Il Palagio Roxanne Toscana Rosso 2019Tuscan Blends from Tuscany, Italy
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Badia a Coltibuono Chianti Classico 2019Sangiovese from Chianti Classico, Chianti, Tuscany, Italy
- JS
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Tiamo Chianti 2020Sangiovese from Chianti, Tuscany, Italy
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Donnafugata Sedara 2019Nero d'Avola from Sicily, Italy
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Barone Pizzini Saten Franciacorta 2014Vintage Sparkling Wine from Lombardy, Italy
- WE
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Barone Pizzini Saten Franciacorta 2015Vintage Sparkling Wine from Lombardy, Italy
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Tenuta delle Terre Nere Etna Bianco 2020Other White Blends from Sicily, Italy
- V
- JS
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Tenuta delle Terre Nere Etna Rosso 2020Nerello Mascalese from Sicily, Italy
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Sottimano Barbaresco Cotta 2017Nebbiolo from Barbaresco, Piedmont, Italy
- WE
- RP