
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 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 Italian wine 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 Italian wine 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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Tenuta San Guido Sassicaia 2019Bordeaux Red Blends from Bolgheri, Tuscany, Italy
- D
- WE
- JS
- RP
- WS
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Tenuta Sette Ponti Oreno 2019Bordeaux Red Blends from Tuscany, Italy
- JS
- RP
- WS
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Borgo Scopeto Chianti Classico 2019Sangiovese from Chianti Classico, Chianti, Tuscany, Italy
- WE
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Tascante Ghiaia Nera 2019Nerello Mascalese from Sicily, Italy
- JS
- RP
- WE
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Antinori Peppoli Chianti Classico 2019Sangiovese from Chianti Classico, Chianti, Tuscany, Italy
- JS
- WE
- WS
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Antinori Villa Toscana 2019Tuscan Blends from Tuscany, Italy
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Banfi Rosso di Montalcino 2019Sangiovese from Montalcino, Tuscany, Italy
- WW
- JS
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Tua Rita Giusto di Notri 2019Bordeaux Red Blends from Tuscany, Italy
- RP
- JS
- D
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Sella & Mosca Cannonau di Sardegna Riserva 2019Grenache from Sardinia, Italy
- JS
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Enrico Serafino Pajena Barbera d'Alba 2019Barbera from Alba, Piedmont, Italy
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Vietti Perbacco Nebbiolo delle Langhe 2019Nebbiolo from Piedmont, Italy
- WW
- RP
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Feudi di San Gregorio Falanghina 2019Falanghina from Campania, Italy
- JS
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Torrebruna Sangiovese 2019Sangiovese from Tuscany, Italy
- WW
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Il Molino di Grace Il Volano 2019Tuscan Blends from Tuscany, Italy
- WS
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Tenute Neirano Barbera D'Asti Superiore Tirteo 2019Barbera from Asti, Piedmont, Italy
- JS
- WW
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Gaja Ca'Marcanda Magari 2019Bordeaux Red Blends from Bolgheri, Tuscany, Italy
- W&S
- RP
- JS
- WS
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La Valentina Montepulciano d'Abruzzo 2019Montepulciano from Abruzzo, Italy
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Tua Rita Redigaffi Toscana 2019Merlot from Tuscany, Italy
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- RP
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Tua Rita Rosso dei Notri 2019Tuscan Blends from Tuscany, Italy
- JS
- RP
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Donnafugata Ben Rye (375ML half-bottle) 2019Other Dessert from Sicily, Italy
- JS
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San Giorgio Ciampoleto Rosso di Montalcino 2019Sangiovese from Montalcino, Tuscany, Italy
- JS
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Poggio Antico Lemartine Toscana 2019Tuscan Blends from Tuscany, Italy
- JS
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Il Palagio Roxanne Toscana Rosso 2019Tuscan Blends from Tuscany, Italy
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Tenuta di Capraia Chianti Classico 2019Sangiovese from Chianti Classico, Chianti, Tuscany, Italy
- WW
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IDDA Etna Rosso 2019Nerello Mascalese from Sicily, Italy
- JS
- RP
- WE