
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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Cerbaia Brunello di Montalcino 2015Sangiovese from Montalcino, Tuscany, Italy
- JS
- RP
- D
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La Lecciaia Brunello di Montalcino 2015Sangiovese from Montalcino, Tuscany, Italy
- JS
- V
- RP
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Arnaldo Rivera Barolo Ravera 2015Nebbiolo from Barolo, Piedmont, Italy
- JS
- WS
- WE
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Capanna Brunello di Montalcino Riserva 2015Sangiovese from Montalcino, Tuscany, Italy
- JS
- JD
- RP
- WE
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Massolino Vigna Rionda Riserva Barolo 2015Nebbiolo from Barolo, Piedmont, Italy
- WE
- W&S
- WS
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Barone Pizzini Saten Franciacorta 2015Vintage Sparkling Wine from Lombardy, Italy
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Cesari Il Bosco Amarone della Valpolicella Classico 2015Other Red Blends from Valpolicella, Veneto, Italy
- RP
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Umani Ronchi Pelago 2015Other Red Blends from Marche, Italy
- JS
- WS
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Ceretto Brunate Barolo 2015Nebbiolo from Barolo, Piedmont, Italy
- RP
- JS
- WE
- WS
- D
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Cantina Del Nebbiolo Barolo Perno 2015Nebbiolo from Barolo, Piedmont, Italy
- WW
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Mastroberardino Radici Taurasi 2015Aglianico from Campania, Italy
- JS
- D
- RP
- W&S
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Travaglini Gattinara Riserva 2015Nebbiolo from Piedmont, Italy
- RP
- WE
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Lisini Brunello di Montalcino 2015Sangiovese from Montalcino, Tuscany, Italy
- D
- WS
- RP
- WE
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Luigi Oddero Barolo 2015Nebbiolo from Barolo, Piedmont, Italy
- WE
- JS
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Di Majo Norante Contado Riserva 2015Aglianico from Molise, Italy
- JS
- RP
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Tenimenti d'Alessandro Il Bosco Syrah 2015Syrah/Shiraz from Tuscany, Italy
- JS
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Donatella Cinelli Colombini Brunello di Montalcino Prime Donne 2015Sangiovese from Montalcino, Tuscany, Italy
- RP
- V
- JS
- WE
- D
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Dei Bossona Vino Nobile di Montepulciano Riserva 2015Sangiovese from Montepulciano, Tuscany, Italy
- WS
- JS
- WE
- RP
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La Spinetta Barbaresco Gallina 2015Nebbiolo from Barbaresco, Piedmont, Italy
- JS
- WS
- RP
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Santadi Terre Brune Carignano del Sulcis Superiore 2015Carignan from Sardinia, Italy
- JS
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Planeta Burdese 2015Bordeaux Red Blends from Sicily, Italy
- JS
- RP
- WE
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Azienda Agricola SanCarlo Brunello di Montalcino 2015Sangiovese from Montalcino, Tuscany, Italy
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Pra Amarone della Valpolicella 2015Other Red Blends from Valpolicella, Veneto, Italy
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Col d'Orcia Olmaia Cabernet Sauvignon 2015Cabernet Sauvignon from Tuscany, Italy
- WS
- V
- RP
- JS
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Sesti Brunello di Montalcino 2015Sangiovese from Montalcino, Tuscany, Italy
- JS
- RP
- WE