Italian Wines

Italian wines are celebrated not only for their exceptional taste but also for the close connection they have with the diverse Italian landscapes and culinary traditions.

Whether you're sipping a bold red from Tuscany or a sparkling wine from the Veneto, Italian wines offer a delightful journey through the country's rich viticultural tapestry.

Some of the most well-known Italian wines include:

• Chianti

  Red wine from Toscana. Made from at least 70% Sangiovese grapes. Known for its robust and fruity character.

• Barolo and Barbaresco

  Red wines from Piemonte. Made from Nebbiolo grapes. Complex flavors and a strong tannic structure.

• Brunello de Montalcino

  Another Tuscan red wine made exclusively from Sangiovese grapes. Bold, full-bodied and an excellent aging potential.

• Amarone della Valpolicella

  A unique red wine from Veneto. Made from dried grapes, resulting in a rich, full-bodied wine with a slightly sweet note.

• Prosecco

  Sparkling wine from Veneto. Made from the Glera grape. Light, crisp, and fruity.

• Barbera d'Asti

  Red wine from Piemonte. Made from Barbera grapes. Known for high acidity and versatility. Pairing well with a variety of dishes.

• Super Tuscans

  Red wine from Toscana. Often made with a blend of traditional and international grape varieties. Gained fame in Tuscany for their innovative approach and high quality.

Italian Region

Italy is divided into 20 wine regions.

With many thousand years of wine production history, each region has unique terroir, unique grapes and unique winemaking traditions.

• Toscana

  Toscana is Italy's most famous wine regions. It is best known for its iconic red wine, Chianti, primarily made from Sangiovese grapes.

• Piemonte

  Piemonte is best known for its prestigious red wines Barolo and Barbaresco made from Nebbiolo grapes. The region is also know the red Barbera wine and the white wines Asti (made from Moscato grapes).

• Veneto

  Veneto is known for the famous sparkling wine Prosecco.

  Other notable wines include Amarone della Valpolicella, a rich and full-bodied red wine made from dried grapes, and Soave, a dry white wine made from Garganega grapes.

• Sicily

  Sicily produces a wide range of wines, from dry whites (Grillo and Carricante) to robust reds (Nero d'Avola and Frappato).

• Trentino-Alto Adige

  Trentino produces a range of wines, including crisp white wines (Pinot Grigio) and elegant reds (Teroldego and Lagrein). The region is also known for its sparkling wine Trentodoc.

Italian Wine Laws DOC(G)

Italian wine law and labels was introduced in 1963. They were designed to copy the French AOC/AC system.

Strict rules defines grape varieties, yield limits, grape ripeness, winemaking procedures, barrel and bottle maturation, and tasting procedures. Each bottle must have a numbered government seal.

The DOCG was created in 1980 in response to the criticisms that there were too many DOCs and their quality was variable.

• DOC (Denominazione di Origine Controllata)
  Regulates production areas, grape varieties, bottle and barrel aging, alcohol levels, and vinification techniques.

• DOCG (Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita)
  The highest classification. Same regulations as DOC. In addition, each DOCG-labeled wine must be bottled within the production area and pass a wine quality tasting panel.