Italian wine is very popular all over the world. Italy is home to some of the oldest wine-producing regions of the globe and also the largest wine producer country. Italian red wine and white wine are both exported abroad and popular among Italians, who statistically drink about 42 liters of wine per capita. So, there’s no doubt that wine plays an important role in the Italian economy and culture, that’s why I want to introduce you to the story of this beverage.
The Romans planted vineyards in the country in the 2nd century AD and increased the cultivations of vines by using modern viticultural and winemaking techniques. They also pioneered large-scale production and storage methods such as bottling and barrel-making. However, Etruscans and Greek settlers already produced wine in Italy before and wine-making flourished here.
Types of Italian wines
The first official Italian method of wine classification was born in 1963. After many years, in 2010 the European Union wine regulations established four basic categories:
- Vini (wines, also called “generic wines”), that can be produced anywhere in Europe. Their labels don’t specify the vintage or the geographical origin of the grape varieties used;
- Vini Varietali (Varietal Wines), produced mostly with one kind of international grape variety (Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Syrah, Merlot) or with more of them;
- Vini IGP (Protected Geographical Indication), made in a particular area of the country by following specific regulations on authorized varieties, viticultural and vinification practices, chemical-physical and organoleptic characteristics, labeling instructions, etc;
- Vini DOP (Protected Designation of Origin), include Vini DOC (Controlled Designation of Origin) and Vini DOCG (Controlled and Guaranteed Designation of Origin). DOC wines must have been IGP wines before, for a minimum time of 5 years. The producers of DOCG wines can’t sell them before they pass stricter analyses.
Best Italian wine
It’s difficult to choose the best Italian wine and, obviously, it also depends on taste. Knowing some wine-relevant geographic characteristics can help to select the best Italian wine. The extensive latitudinal range of Italy affords wine growing from the Alps in the north to the hot climate of Sicily and Apulia in the south. Italy’s mountains and hills offer a variety of soil conditions for grape growing. Understanding the differences between the 20 regions of Italy can also help to know the origins of the many different types of Italian wine.
Italian white wine VS Italian red wine
What’s your favorite one? Before declaring the winner, you should know Italian grape varieties. Italy’s Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry attested over 350 grapes. If you love Italian white wine, remember that some of the most famous vineyards are:
- Fiano,
- Friulano,
- Greco di Tufo,
- Malvasia bianca,
- Moscato blanc,
- Nuragus,
- Passerina,
- Pecorino,
- Ribolla Gialla,
- Trebbiano,
- Verdicchio,
- Vermentino.
If you prefer Italian red wine, remember that some of the most famous vineyards are:
- Sangiovese,
- Aglianico,
- Barbera,
- Corvina,
- Dolcetto,
- Malvasia nera,
- Montepulciano,
- Nebbiolo,
- Negroamaro,
- Nero d’Avola,
- Primitivo,
- Sagrantino.
The guides to the best Italian wine
Navigating the wide world of Italian red wine and white wine can be a little challenging. There are several guides and publications on the best Italian wine that rate the most popular ones. One of the most influential in Italy is il Gambero Rosso. Every year the guide gives “three glasses”, that is the highest rating to some selected wines that attract much attention. Bibenda by the Fondazione Italiana Sommelier and Slow Wine by Slow Food Italia also gained attention both among amateurs and professionals. Listen to my podcast on Foodietaly channel:
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