Italian wine

Italy is one of the largest wine producing and exporting countries in the world. The vineyards are virtually spread among all regions and reach from the far north to the deep south, with large differences in viniculture. For centuries, Italy consisted of independent regions and each region had its own identity, cuisine and wine. This, combined with the outside influences, creates a vast multitude of indigenous and international grape varieties available in Italy. Nebbiolo and Sangiovese are considered to be the most unique. Nebbiolo grape thrives only in Piedmont while Sangiovese grape has been successfully planted in many parts of the country, but owes its reputation in particular to the great wines of Tuscany.

Wine classification system

The classification system in Italy is based on the one in France. Since 1963, they use DOC (Denominazione di Origine Controllata) classification, which guarantees a certain quality. The DOCG (Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantit) is the highest classification for Italian wines and was introduced in 1992. DOCG wines have a special seal on the bottle. Besides these two, Italian wines can also be labelled as vino da tavola (table wine) or IGT (Geographical Indication Tipica), which is typically a geographical indication.

There are 20 wine producing regions in Italy and the most famous and well known ones are described below.

Regions

Piedmont

Piedmont is translated as "at the foot of the mountains" due to its location and is considered to be one of the best wine regions in Italy based on the amount of DOC(G)s awarded. Piedmont is predominantly known for its red wines from Nebbiolo grape. The most well known are Barolo and Barbaresco wines.

Grapes

Barbera, Nebbiolo and Dolcetto grape varieties dominate in this region. These grapes can only be found in Piëmonte. Excellent conditions for the vines ensure the wines from this region, such as Barolo and Barbaresco, are true gems.

The powerful Barolo

Barolo, the king of Italian wines, is a powerful and robust wine made from Nebbiolo grape with the aroma of violets, roses and red fruits but also truffles and spices. Barolo comes from the village of Barolo and the best ones have a shelf life of 20 years.

Barbaresco

Barbaresco is also made from Nebbiolo grape. The vineyards where Barbaresco is made are located around the triangle of Neive, Treiso and Barbaresco villages. Barbaresco grape ripens earlier than its neighbour due to the maritime influence and is therefore often slightly smoother.

More about wines from Piemonte

Other nice wines are produced around the town of Asti. The best-known are Barbera d'Asti and Barbera d'Asti Superiore. Barbera d'Asti does not mature (or very little) before it comes to the market. The Superiore, on the other hand, needs to ripen 12 months, 6 of which in wooden barrels. The wine must contain at least 85 % of Barbera grape. Sparkling wines are also produced in this region, namely Asti Spumante and Moscato DOCGs d'Asti.

Barbera d'Alba wine is produced in the region around the city of Alba. In this area, two variants of this wine are produced, namely Barbera d'Alba and Barbera d'Alba Superiore, both made from Barbera grape.

Tuscany

Slender cypresses and olive trees on a hilly landscape among the vineyards is the typical picture of Tuscany, which is located in the heart of Italy. It produces the most prestigious wines of the country such as Chianti, Brunello di Montalcino and Vino Nobile di Montepulciano.

Chianti

Nowadays, Chianti brings forth excellent wines that are internationally acclaimed. The time of decorative bottles and mediocre wine is behind us and today they stand among the greatest players in Tuscany, such as Brunello di Montalcino and Vino Nobile di Montepulciano. Since 1924, the "Consorzio del Vino Chianti Classico Gallo Nero" monitors quality of Chianti Classico wines and these wines are identified by seal with black rooster on it.

The best wines come from the strictly controlled DOCG Chianti and Chianti Classico DOCG. In the 1990^th, the area has earned DOCG status. In addition, Chianti may add "Riserva" title if wine has aged a minimum of two years in oak barrel and at least 3 months in bottle.

Grape

The Chianti wine is one of the best known in the world and is usually made only from Sangiovese grape. However, it is allowed to add alternative varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. A quality Chianti has a vibrant red colour which turns red/brown when it matures. In the taste, one could identify wood tones, berry fruit, spices and tannins which develop into a soft, fruity and expressive wine after some years.

Brunello

Brunello di Montalcino

Brunello di Montalcino is one of the greatest wines of Italy. Due to high quality and carefully selected grapes, this wine is very popular with wine connoisseurs all over the world. Brunello wines are garnet red with a strong character. Brunello di Montalcino is a region in Tuscany, which has received the DOCG status in 1982.

Grape

The wine is made from Sangiovese grape. It is a varietal wine, which means it is made from one grape. The alcohol content of the Brunello di Montalcino is 12.5%. The wine must have a minimum maturity of 3.5 years in wooden barrels, five years for Riserva.

The wine is known for its long shelf life, which could be up to 40 to 50 years. Nowadays, the modern Brunello fully matures after a decade.

The wine has a garnet red colour and a strong character. The aromas include black cherry, plum, spices and herbs. The wine can be both full and powerful but also sensual and soft. This often depends on the age, as the older wines tend to be more harmonious.

Vino Nobile di Montepulciano

Vino Nobile di Montepulciano is produced up the hills in Montepulciano town, situated to the east of the Siena river. This DOCG wine must contain at least 70 % of Sangiovese. Other grapes that may be used are Canaiolo, Mammolo and Trebbiano. This wine is full of character and must aged for at least two years in order to carry the name Vino Nobile. Riserva designation may be used for aging in barrels of at least three years, and Riserva Speciale for aging of at least four years.

Veneto

Measured by volume, Veneto is the largest Italian region for DOC wines. Prosecco and Amarone are the best-known wines from this region. Ten per cent of the wine produced in Italy comes from this region. The vineyards are mainly on the hill between Venice, Verona and Lake Garda. Because of its location between the lake, the sea and the Alps, the climate is predominantly soft.

Prosecco

Prosecco comes from the foothills of the Alps, north of Venice. The Italians consider it the ultimate terrace and aperitif wine for any time of the day as it has low alcohol content. The wine is soft, vibrant, with floral scent, fresh and slightly sweet-flavoured. Sparkling wines may only be named Prosecco if made in the Prosecco Veneto region.

Amarone della Valpolicella

Amarone is a powerful and great wine from the vineyards of Veneto. This wine is highly concentrated with a full flavour, which with years develops into a velvet rounding. The tasting notes of Amarone wine include fruit, raisins and some spices. The wine shares its name with the region and is produced in the hills just above Veneto. The first Amarone came to the market less than a century ago. Amarone della Valpolicella has been awarded the DOCG classification in 2009.

Valpolicella Ripasso is a sister of the Amarone as used grape peels from the Amarone are used for second fermentation. This creates a strong, intense and complex wine.

 Abruzzo

The beautiful region of Abruzzo is very rich in natural beauty with its mountains, coastline and national parks and of course vineyards. The vines are planted here at an altitude up to 500 metres. As a result, the grapes ripe slowly and develop exquisite aromas with precious acids. The best area to grow wine in this region is located around the city of Pescara. The best-known wines are Trebbiano d'Abruzzo and Montepulciano d'Abruzzo.

Trebbiano d'Abruzzo and grape

Wines with Trebbiano d'Abruzzo DOC on the label are white wines made from Trebbiano d'Abruzzo grape. This is the local version of Trebbiano grape variety, the most-commonly planted grape in Italy. This grape is also known as Ugni Blanc. This prolific grape contains citrus notes. Due to the short ripening of the grapes the wines are very accessible, young and fresh. The wine is to be consumed young.

Montepulciano d'Abruzzo and grape

Montepulciano d'Abruzzo is one of the best Italian red wines. These wines are characterized by their rounded and smooth character and exuberant fruitiness. The wine is made from the native Montepulciano grape, which should not be confused with the Tuscan town of Montepulciano. Ten per cent of Sangiovese may be added.

Puglia

The wine region of Puglia is also called Apulia and is located throughout the "heel" of Italy. The vineyards have been here for centuries. In the last twenty years, this region has been modernized and modern techniques are combined with ancient craftsmanship. The results are amazing and we see more and more great wines coming from this region.

In 2011, this region was awarded with its first DOCG classifications but many wines still proudly wear the IGT classification

Grape

Puglia produces mainly red wines. Primitivo grape guarantees intense red wines of excellent quality. The wine has a higher alcohol level and a bitter cherry flavour. Negro Amaro grape (which literally means black and bitter) is often found in Salento. This grape gives the wine dark fruit, liquorice and has a bittersweet aftertaste.

Friuli-Venezia Giulia

This wine is made in the north-eastern region of Friuli-Venezia Giulia and is also called Friuli wine. The region is predominantly known for its white wines.

Grapes

The best wines produced in this region are white wines. The red wines made from Pignolo, Refosco and Schiopettino grapes are making its way up but are not there yet.

The grapes used for the white wine are often non-traditional grapes (Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling and Pinot Bianco) but also include Italian grapes such as Pinot Grigio, Verduzzo and Picolit which are indigenous to the region. Friuli’s signature and best-known white grape is Friulano. Overall, Friuli produces refreshing, crisp and lively wines.

Umbria

Umbria is a wine region in central Italy, next to Tuscany. Many of the eleven DOC wines are named starting with “colli“ (slope or hill), which refers to the landscape of this area.

Grapes

Umbria predominantly produces white wines from Trebbiano grape and the best known is the Orvieto wine.

Even though the white wine is more common here, Umbria also produces a red wine with a DOCG status, namely the Montefalco Sagrantino which has a strong, powerful, earthy taste with lots of dark fruit.