
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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Antinori Villa Antinori Chianti Classico Riserva 2018Sangiovese from Chianti Classico, Chianti, Tuscany, Italy
- JS
- V
- WS
- RP
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Planeta Eruzione 1614 Carricante 2018Carricante from Sicily, Italy
- RP
- V
- JS
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Donnafugata Ben Rye (375ML half-bottle) 2018Other Dessert from Sicily, Italy
- D
- RP
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La Massa Toscana 2018Tuscan Blends from Tuscany, Italy
- JS
- RP
- D
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Argiano Solengo 2018Tuscan Blends from Tuscany, Italy
- JS
- WS
- RP
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Tornatore Etna Rosso 2018Nerello Mascalese from Sicily, Italy
- JS
- WE
- RP
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Felsina Berardenga Chianti Classico 2018Sangiovese from Chianti Classico, Chianti, Tuscany, Italy
- JS
- WE
- RP
- D
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La Poderina Rosso di Montalcino 2018Sangiovese from Montalcino, Tuscany, Italy
- RP
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Giuseppe Cortese Rabaja Barbaresco 2018Nebbiolo from Barbaresco, Piedmont, Italy
- JS
- RP
- WS
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Sottimano Barbaresco Basarin 2018Nebbiolo from Barbaresco, Piedmont, Italy
- WE
- W&S
- RP
- JD
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San Salvatore Pian di Stio Paestum Fiano 2018Fiano from Campania, Italy
- W&S
- JS
- RP
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La Spinetta Barbaresco Bordini 2018Nebbiolo from Barbaresco, Piedmont, Italy
- RP
- JD
- W&S
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Duemani Altrovino Toscana 2018Bordeaux Red Blends from Tuscany, Italy
- RP
- JS
- WW
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Sesti Rosso di Montalcino 2018Sangiovese from Montalcino, Tuscany, Italy
- V
- RP
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Tua Rita Perlato del Bosco 2018Sangiovese from Tuscany, Italy
- RP
- JS
- WS
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Uccelliera Rapace Toscana 2018Tuscan Blends from Tuscany, Italy
- JS
- RP
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Braida Bricco dell' Uccellone Barbera d'Asti 2018Barbera from Asti, Piedmont, Italy
- RP
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Zisola Noto Nero d'Avola 2018Nero d'Avola from Sicily, Italy
- JS
- RP
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Allegrini La Grola 2018Corvina from Veneto, Italy
- RP
- WE
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Les Cretes Petite Arvine Fleur 2018Other White Wine from Valle d'Aosta, Italy
- RP
- JS
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Ornellaia (3 Liter Bottle) 2018Bordeaux Red Blends from Tuscany, Italy
- JS
- V
- D
- WS
- RP
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Felsina Maestro Raro Cabernet Sauvignon 2018Cabernet Sauvignon from Tuscany, Italy
- RP
- JS
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Ornellaia (1.5 Liter Magnum) 2018Bordeaux Red Blends from Tuscany, Italy
- JS
- V
- D
- WS
- RP
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Ornellaia Bianco 2018Bordeaux White Blends from Tuscany, Italy
- JS
- RP
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Poggio al Tesoro Mediterra 2018Other Red Blends from Tuscany, Italy
- V
- RP