Italy
No doubt the emperor Caligula enjoyed the wines of Italy. What's
not to like? Italian reds tend to make excellent food wines because
of their naturally high tannins. But the country also offers refreshing
whites. Boasting one of the wold's oldest wine cultures, Italy offers a
world of wine.
No doubt the emperor Caligula enjoyed the wines of Italy. What's
not to like? Italian reds tend to make excellent food wines because
of their naturally high tannins. But the country also offers refreshing
whites. Boasting one of the wold's oldest wine cultures, Italy offers a
world of wine.
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Next only to Greece, perhaps, the country today called Italy is one of the oldest
wine-growing areas in the world. The Etruscans and Greek colonists were
making wine centuries before the Romans rose to power. Today, the nation of
Italy is the second most prolific producer of wine in the world next to that
upstart, France.
Most Italians drink wine daily, even for lunch and sometimes with in-between-
meal snacks. It's not surprising then that Italian wines are meant to be taken
with food. That is, they tend to be acidic, dry and subdues in both flavor and
aroma.
Roman conquest of Carthaginians in 146 B.C. kicked off wine production on
the Italian penninsula. Before the conquest, Carthage all but owned the wine
market. Coincidence? I think not. Italian wine has flourished ever since,
although its international reputation, and certainly its reputation in the U.S., has
been as a second-rater to France. This is no doubt due in part to mass exports
of cheap Chianti-in-the-basket jug wines. Today, quality Italian wines are
coming to the fore, however, and often make excellent bargains. Italy it should
be noted, has more vineyards than any other country.
Classification
Italy's classification system is similar to that of France. It includes four classes,
two of which fall under the European Union category Quality Wine Produced in
a Specific Region (QWPSR) and two falling under the category of "table wine."
QWPSR:
Table Wine:
Major Regions
Abruzzi
In the middle south of the country, Abruzzi is known for its Montapulciano
d'Abruzzi, made from the red Montelpulciano grape. (Not to be confused with
Vino Nobile di Montelpulciano, which is made from Sangiovese in near the
town of Montelpulciano. Go figure.) Montelpulciano d'Abruzzi tends to be at once
fruit and yet good with food.
Campania
Campania is known for the indigenous white variety, Greco di Tufo, dry with nut-
like flavor. Its Taurasi, made from the Aglianico grape, is a red with a pleasantly
leathery flavor.
Friuli
Usually just called "Friuli," Friuli-Venezia Giulia is in the far Northeastern Italy,
on the Slovenian border, where the climate is cool. The region is known for its
brisk white wines with lively acidity. Grapes include Pinot Bianco, Pinot Grigio
and Sauvignon Blanc. Then local variety, Tocai Friulano, should not be
confused with Tokay d'Alsace or the Tokaj of Hungary. Tocai Friulano is floral,
nutty, light-bodied white. Ribolla Gialla, another flowery white grape, is also
common here. Reds include Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc.
Piedmont
Located in the Northwest area of Italy along the Mediterranean coast and close
to the Alps, Piedmont's vineyards are high in elevation and enjoy a cool, damp
climate. Piedmontese wines are among the highest-quality, ageworthy wines
of Italy. The best known sub-regions are Barolo, Barbaresco, Gattinara and
Gheme all of which produce wines based on Nebbiolo. Other well-known
grape varieties grown here include Dolcetto (as in Dolcetto d'Alba, Alba being
the name of the town) and Barbera (as in Barbera d'Asti -- seeing a pattern
here?) Asti is also known for its sparkling wines Asti Spumante and Moscato
d'Asti.
Puglia
Ever heard of Zinfandel? Well, Puglia, in Italy's far south, might be where it
comes from. It's genetically exactly the same as the region's foremost variety,
Primitivo, though climate and soil conditions make it quite different from its
American cousin.
Sardinia
A small island far removed from Italy proper, Sardinia has almost as much
influence from Spain as Italy. The most planted variety is Cannonau (a.k.a.
Grenache), which produces age-worthy reds. Other reds include Carignano
(Carignan) and Giro. The white grape is also widely planted, as is Vermentino,
used to make a sherry-like fortified wine. In addition, some wineries are
producing varietals from Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon.
Sicily
Hot and rugged, Sicily makes a wide variety of wine. Historically, the island has
been known for its sweet wines. including Marsala, Moscato di Pantelleria &
Malvasia delle Lipari. But dry, age-worthy reds like Nero d'Avola are highly
sellable Merlots and Cabernet Sauvignons, which may be blended with Nero
d'Avola or sold as varietals.
Tuscany
The famed districts of Chianti and Brunello di Montalcino lie within Tuscany,
one of the oldest wine-groing regions in the world. Tuscany is home to the
indigenous Italian red grape, Sangiovese, and traditionally most of the wine
here is made from it or some cloned breed. Recently, however, some newer
sub-regions, like Bohlgeri and Maremma, which are experimenting with
Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. Note that Tuscany is also home to Vino Nobile
di Montepulciano, which makes Sangiovese-based wines, and is not to be
confused with the Montepulcian grape variety found in the region of Abruzzi.
Tuscany is also known for its Vin Santo.
Trentino-Alto Adige
Located in Northeast Italy, the neighboring districts of Trentino and Alto Adige
occupy a hilly area near the Alps. While Trentino's vineyards are terraced along
the hillsides Adige's vines tend to be lower down on the flats. Both reds and
whites are produced, but the area is known internationally more for its whites,
which include Pinot Bianco, Pinot Grigio, Traminer and Chardonnay. Reds,
when you can find them, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc, an
amusing Schiaval a local variety. Trentino-Alto Adige also makes a Vin Santo,
similar to but not the same as that of Tuscany.
Veneto
Located in Northeast Italy Veneto is best know for the city, Venice. It's also Italy's
top wine producing region, volume-wise. It's also known for Proseco, the
slightly effervescent white, Soave, made from the white grape, Garganega, and
Amarone and Valpolicella, the famed red wines.
List of Regions
Aosta Valley (Valle D'Aosta)
Piedmont (Piemonte)
Liguria
Lombardy (Lombardia)
Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol
Friuli-Venezia Giulia
Veneto
Emilia-Romagna
Tuscany (Toscana)
Marche (Le Marche)
Umbria
wine-growing areas in the world. The Etruscans and Greek colonists were
making wine centuries before the Romans rose to power. Today, the nation of
Italy is the second most prolific producer of wine in the world next to that
upstart, France.
Most Italians drink wine daily, even for lunch and sometimes with in-between-
meal snacks. It's not surprising then that Italian wines are meant to be taken
with food. That is, they tend to be acidic, dry and subdues in both flavor and
aroma.
Roman conquest of Carthaginians in 146 B.C. kicked off wine production on
the Italian penninsula. Before the conquest, Carthage all but owned the wine
market. Coincidence? I think not. Italian wine has flourished ever since,
although its international reputation, and certainly its reputation in the U.S., has
been as a second-rater to France. This is no doubt due in part to mass exports
of cheap Chianti-in-the-basket jug wines. Today, quality Italian wines are
coming to the fore, however, and often make excellent bargains. Italy it should
be noted, has more vineyards than any other country.
Classification
Italy's classification system is similar to that of France. It includes four classes,
two of which fall under the European Union category Quality Wine Produced in
a Specific Region (QWPSR) and two falling under the category of "table wine."
QWPSR:
- Denominazione di Origine Controllata (DOC)
- Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita (DOCG)
Table Wine:
- Indicazione Geografica Tipica (IGT) - Label includes a specific region
within Italy - Vino da Tavola - Labelled "Produce of Italy."
Major Regions
Abruzzi
In the middle south of the country, Abruzzi is known for its Montapulciano
d'Abruzzi, made from the red Montelpulciano grape. (Not to be confused with
Vino Nobile di Montelpulciano, which is made from Sangiovese in near the
town of Montelpulciano. Go figure.) Montelpulciano d'Abruzzi tends to be at once
fruit and yet good with food.
Campania
Campania is known for the indigenous white variety, Greco di Tufo, dry with nut-
like flavor. Its Taurasi, made from the Aglianico grape, is a red with a pleasantly
leathery flavor.
Friuli
Usually just called "Friuli," Friuli-Venezia Giulia is in the far Northeastern Italy,
on the Slovenian border, where the climate is cool. The region is known for its
brisk white wines with lively acidity. Grapes include Pinot Bianco, Pinot Grigio
and Sauvignon Blanc. Then local variety, Tocai Friulano, should not be
confused with Tokay d'Alsace or the Tokaj of Hungary. Tocai Friulano is floral,
nutty, light-bodied white. Ribolla Gialla, another flowery white grape, is also
common here. Reds include Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc.
Piedmont
Located in the Northwest area of Italy along the Mediterranean coast and close
to the Alps, Piedmont's vineyards are high in elevation and enjoy a cool, damp
climate. Piedmontese wines are among the highest-quality, ageworthy wines
of Italy. The best known sub-regions are Barolo, Barbaresco, Gattinara and
Gheme all of which produce wines based on Nebbiolo. Other well-known
grape varieties grown here include Dolcetto (as in Dolcetto d'Alba, Alba being
the name of the town) and Barbera (as in Barbera d'Asti -- seeing a pattern
here?) Asti is also known for its sparkling wines Asti Spumante and Moscato
d'Asti.
Puglia
Ever heard of Zinfandel? Well, Puglia, in Italy's far south, might be where it
comes from. It's genetically exactly the same as the region's foremost variety,
Primitivo, though climate and soil conditions make it quite different from its
American cousin.
Sardinia
A small island far removed from Italy proper, Sardinia has almost as much
influence from Spain as Italy. The most planted variety is Cannonau (a.k.a.
Grenache), which produces age-worthy reds. Other reds include Carignano
(Carignan) and Giro. The white grape is also widely planted, as is Vermentino,
used to make a sherry-like fortified wine. In addition, some wineries are
producing varietals from Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon.
Sicily
Hot and rugged, Sicily makes a wide variety of wine. Historically, the island has
been known for its sweet wines. including Marsala, Moscato di Pantelleria &
Malvasia delle Lipari. But dry, age-worthy reds like Nero d'Avola are highly
sellable Merlots and Cabernet Sauvignons, which may be blended with Nero
d'Avola or sold as varietals.
Tuscany
The famed districts of Chianti and Brunello di Montalcino lie within Tuscany,
one of the oldest wine-groing regions in the world. Tuscany is home to the
indigenous Italian red grape, Sangiovese, and traditionally most of the wine
here is made from it or some cloned breed. Recently, however, some newer
sub-regions, like Bohlgeri and Maremma, which are experimenting with
Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. Note that Tuscany is also home to Vino Nobile
di Montepulciano, which makes Sangiovese-based wines, and is not to be
confused with the Montepulcian grape variety found in the region of Abruzzi.
Tuscany is also known for its Vin Santo.
Trentino-Alto Adige
Located in Northeast Italy, the neighboring districts of Trentino and Alto Adige
occupy a hilly area near the Alps. While Trentino's vineyards are terraced along
the hillsides Adige's vines tend to be lower down on the flats. Both reds and
whites are produced, but the area is known internationally more for its whites,
which include Pinot Bianco, Pinot Grigio, Traminer and Chardonnay. Reds,
when you can find them, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc, an
amusing Schiaval a local variety. Trentino-Alto Adige also makes a Vin Santo,
similar to but not the same as that of Tuscany.
Veneto
Located in Northeast Italy Veneto is best know for the city, Venice. It's also Italy's
top wine producing region, volume-wise. It's also known for Proseco, the
slightly effervescent white, Soave, made from the white grape, Garganega, and
Amarone and Valpolicella, the famed red wines.
List of Regions
Aosta Valley (Valle D'Aosta)
Piedmont (Piemonte)
Liguria
Lombardy (Lombardia)
Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol
Friuli-Venezia Giulia
Veneto
Emilia-Romagna
Tuscany (Toscana)
Marche (Le Marche)
Umbria
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Lazio
Abruzzi (Abruzzo)
Molise
Campania
Basilicata
Puglia
Calabria
Sicily (Sicilia)
Sardinia (Sardegna)
Abruzzi (Abruzzo)
Molise
Campania
Basilicata
Puglia
Calabria
Sicily (Sicilia)
Sardinia (Sardegna)
Fast Facts
- Italy is the 2nd largest producer of wine on the
world - It wasn't until the fall of Carthage in the 2nd
century B.C. that viticulture in Italy really started
to take off - Italy has a four tiered appellation system,
much like that of France - Italy boasts more vineyards than any other
country
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