
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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Mazzei Chianti Classico Riserva Ser Lapo 2016Sangiovese from Chianti Classico, Chianti, Tuscany, Italy
- D
- JS
- WS
- RP
- W&S
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Castellani Chianti Classico Riserva 2016Sangiovese from Chianti Classico, Chianti, Tuscany, Italy
- JS
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Ceretto Barbaresco 2016Nebbiolo from Barbaresco, Piedmont, Italy
- WS
- JS
- RP
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Avignonesi Vino Nobile di Montepulciano 2016Sangiovese from Montepulciano, Tuscany, Italy
- JS
- WE
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Castellani Sangiovese 2016Sangiovese from Tuscany, Italy
- JS
- WW
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Allegrini Palazzo della Torre 2016Other Red Blends from Veneto, Italy
- JS
- WS
- WE
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Zenato Valpolicella Superiore Ripassa 2016Other Red Blends from Valpolicella, Veneto, Italy
- JS
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Antinori Villa Antinori Chianti Classico Riserva 2016Sangiovese from Chianti Classico, Chianti, Tuscany, Italy
- WS
- RP
- JS
- D
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Falesco Vitiano Rosso 2016Other Red Blends from Italy
- JS
- RP
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Antinori Marchese Chianti Classico Riserva 2016Sangiovese from Chianti Classico, Chianti, Tuscany, Italy
- JS
- WE
- W&S
- WS
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Selvapiana Chianti Rufina Riserva Bucerchiale 2016Sangiovese from Chianti, Tuscany, Italy
- JS
- WE
- V
- WS
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Castello di Bossi Chianti Classico Riserva Berardo 2016Sangiovese from Chianti Classico, Chianti, Tuscany, Italy
- JS
- RP
- V
- WE
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Ziobaffa Organic Toscana 2016Sangiovese from Tuscany, Italy
- JS
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Masciarelli Montepulciano d'Abruzzo Marina Cvetic Riserva 2016Montepulciano from Abruzzo, Italy
- JD
- JS
- WE
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Podere Grattamacco Bolgheri Superiore 2016Other Red Blends from Bolgheri, Tuscany, Italy
- D
- RP
- JS
- WS
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Castello di Bossi Chianti Classico 2016Sangiovese from Chianti Classico, Chianti, Tuscany, Italy
- JS
- D
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Tenuta di Capraia Chianti Classico Riserva 2016Sangiovese from Chianti Classico, Chianti, Tuscany, Italy
- V
- WS
- JS
- WE
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Tenuta Sant'Antonio Amarone Selezione Antonio Castagnedi 2016Other Red Blends from Veneto, Italy
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Luigi Einaudi Barolo Cannubi 2016Nebbiolo from Barolo, Piedmont, Italy
- JS
- WS
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Passopisciaro Passorosso 2016Nerello Mascalese from Sicily, Italy
- D
- RP
- WE
- WS
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La Valentina Montepulciano d'Abruzzo Spelt Riserva 2016Montepulciano from Abruzzo, Italy
- JS
- JD
- WE
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Tenuta Guado al Tasso (1.5 Liter Magnum in Wood Gift Box) 2016Bordeaux Red Blends from Bolgheri, Tuscany, Italy
- RP
- JS
- D
- WS
- W&S
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Carpineto Chianti Classico Riserva 2016Sangiovese from Chianti Classico, Chianti, Tuscany, Italy
- V
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Castello di Monsanto Toscana Monrosso 2016Tuscan Blends from Tuscany, Italy
- WS
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Poliziano Le Stanze del Poliziano 2016Bordeaux Red Blends from Tuscany, Italy
- JS
- RP