Italy
The world's largest wine producer with incredible diversity. Focus on the key regions and grapes.
Classification System
| Level |
Meaning |
| DOCG |
Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita - highest quality |
| DOC |
Denominazione di Origine Controllata - quality designation |
| IGT |
Indicazione Geografica Tipica - regional wines (includes "Super Tuscans") |
| VdT |
Vino da Tavola - table wine |
Piedmont (Northwest)
Overview
- Location: Northwest Italy, Alps
- Climate: Continental, foggy (nebbia = fog)
- Key grapes: Nebbiolo, Barbera, Dolcetto, Moscato
Nebbiolo Wines (DOCG)
| Wine |
Notes |
| Barolo |
"King of wines" - powerful, tannic, needs age |
| Barbaresco |
Slightly softer than Barolo, earlier drinking |
| Roero |
Lighter, sandier soils |
| Gattinara |
Northern, leaner style |
Nebbiolo characteristics: High tannin, high acid, pale colour, tar, roses, cherry, truffle
Other Piedmont Wines
| Wine |
Grape |
Style |
| Barbera d'Asti/Alba |
Barbera |
High acid, cherry, lower tannin |
| Dolcetto d'Alba |
Dolcetto |
Soft, early-drinking, bitter finish |
| Moscato d'Asti |
Moscato |
Sweet, fizzy, low alcohol |
| Asti Spumante |
Moscato |
Sweeter sparkling |
| Gavi |
Cortese |
Dry, crisp white |
Tuscany (Central)
Overview
- Location: Central Italy
- Climate: Mediterranean
- Key grape: Sangiovese
Sangiovese Wines (DOCG)
| Wine |
Notes |
| Chianti |
Blended (min 80% Sangiovese), can include international varieties |
| Chianti Classico |
Heart of region, higher quality, "Gallo Nero" (black rooster) |
| Brunello di Montalcino |
100% Sangiovese Grosso, 5yr ageing minimum |
| Vino Nobile di Montepulciano |
Sangiovese (Prugnolo Gentile), 2yr+ ageing |
| Rosso di Montalcino |
"Baby Brunello", 1yr ageing |
Sangiovese characteristics: High acid, cherry, herbs, tobacco, medium tannin, medium body
Super Tuscans
- High-quality wines using international grapes (Cabernet, Merlot)
- Originally labelled as VdT to avoid DOC restrictions
- Now often IGT Toscana
- Famous examples: Sassicaia, Tignanello, Ornellaia
Other Tuscany
| Wine |
Notes |
| Vernaccia di San Gimignano |
Dry white, DOCG |
| Vin Santo |
Sweet dessert wine from dried grapes |
| Bolgheri |
Super Tuscan heartland |
Veneto (Northeast)
Overview
- Location: Northeast, around Venice and Verona
- Climate: Continental to Mediterranean
- Volume: Italy's largest producing region
Key Wines
| Wine |
Grape(s) |
Style |
| Prosecco |
Glera |
Sparkling, tank method (Charmat), fresh, fruity |
| Soave |
Garganega |
Dry white, almond, citrus |
| Valpolicella |
Corvina + Rondinella + Molinara |
Light red, cherry |
| Amarone della Valpolicella |
Same grapes, dried (appassimento) |
Full, rich, dried fruit, 15%+ ABV |
| Ripasso |
Valpolicella re-fermented on Amarone lees |
"Baby Amarone", richer than basic |
| Recioto della Valpolicella |
Sweet red, dried grapes |
Dessert wine |
The Appassimento Process
- Grapes dried for 3-4 months (on mats or in special rooms)
- Water evaporates, concentrating sugars
- Fermentation produces high alcohol
- Results in rich, raisined wines
Other Regions
Trentino-Alto Adige (Northeast)
- Climate: Alpine, cool
- Grapes: Pinot Grigio, Gewürztraminer, Pinot Nero, Lagrein
- Style: Crisp, aromatic whites
Friuli-Venezia Giulia (Northeast)
- Style: Italy's best dry whites
- Grapes: Pinot Grigio, Friulano, Ribolla Gialla
- DOC: Collio, Colli Orientali
Emilia-Romagna (North-Central)
- Famous for: Lambrusco (sparkling red, dry to sweet)
- Food: Parma ham, Parmigiano-Reggiano, balsamic
Abruzzo (Central)
- Key grape: Montepulciano d'Abruzzo (NOT same as Vino Nobile)
- Style: Full, fruity red, good value
Puglia (Heel)
- Style: Full, ripe reds
- Grapes: Primitivo (= Zinfandel), Negroamaro
- Value: Great QPR region
Sicily
- Climate: Hot Mediterranean
- Grapes: Nero d'Avola (red), Carricante, Catarratto
- DOC: Etna (volcanic terroir, increasingly fashionable)
- Dessert: Marsala (fortified)
Key Italian Wine Terms
| Term |
Meaning |
| Riserva |
Extended ageing |
| Superiore |
Higher alcohol, better quality |
| Classico |
Historical heart of region |
| Vecchio |
Aged |
| Secco |
Dry |
| Amabile |
Semi-sweet |
| Dolce |
Sweet |
| Frizzante |
Lightly sparkling |
| Spumante |
Fully sparkling |
Quiz Yourself
- What grape makes Barolo and Barbaresco?
- What is the appassimento process?
- What grape makes Chianti?
- What is a Super Tuscan?
- What grape makes Prosecco?
Answers
1. Nebbiolo
2. Drying grapes to concentrate sugars before fermentation (used for Amarone)
3. Sangiovese (minimum 80%)
4. High-quality Tuscan wine using international grapes, often labelled IGT
5. Glera