
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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Petra Zingari Toscana 2017Tuscan Blends from Tuscany, Italy
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Castello di Monsanto Chianti Classico Riserva 2017Sangiovese from Chianti Classico, Chianti, Tuscany, Italy
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Antinori Tignanello 2017Tuscan Blends from Tuscany, Italy
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Tenuta di Nozzole Chianti Classico Riserva 2017Sangiovese from Chianti Classico, Chianti, Tuscany, Italy
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Antinori Villa Toscana 2017Tuscan Blends from Tuscany, Italy
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Ruffino Ducale Chianti Classico Riserva 2017Sangiovese from Chianti Classico, Chianti, Tuscany, Italy
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Gaja Ca'Marcanda Promis 2017Tuscan Blends from Tuscany, Italy
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Produttori del Barbaresco Barbaresco 2017Nebbiolo from Barbaresco, Piedmont, Italy
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Tornatore Etna Rosso 2017Nerello Mascalese from Sicily, Italy
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Adriano Marco e Vittorio Sanadaive Barbaresco 2017Nebbiolo from Barbaresco, Piedmont, Italy
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Zenato Valpolicella Superiore 2017Other Red Blends from Valpolicella, Veneto, Italy
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Prunotto Barbaresco 2017Nebbiolo from Barbaresco, Piedmont, Italy
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Feudi di San Gregorio Aglianico Rubrato 2017Aglianico from Italy
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Gaja Sito Moresco 2017Other Red Blends from Piedmont, Italy
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Remo Farina Amarone della Valpolicella Classico 2017Other Red Blends from Valpolicella, Veneto, Italy
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Tasca d'Almerita Regaleali Nero d'Avola 2017Nero d'Avola from Sicily, Italy
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Aia Vecchia Lagone Toscana 2017Bordeaux Red Blends from Tuscany, Italy
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Planeta Santa Cecilia 2017Nero d'Avola from Sicily, Italy
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Masseto 2017Merlot from Tuscany, Italy
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Tenuta di Arceno Il Fauno di Arcanum 2017Bordeaux Red Blends from Tuscany, Italy
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Alta Mora Etna Rosso 2017Nerello Mascalese from Sicily, Italy
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St. Michael-Eppan Sanct Valentin Pinot Grigio 2017Pinot Gris/Grigio from Alto Adige, Trentino-Alto Adige, Italy
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Tenuta Luce Lucente 2017Tuscan Blends from Tuscany, Italy
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La Valentina Montepulciano d'Abruzzo 2017Montepulciano from Abruzzo, Italy
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Castello di Neive Barbaresco 2017Nebbiolo from Barbaresco, Piedmont, Italy
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