Italy is known for producing an astounding array of amazing wines. With vineyards covering some 702,000 hectares, the country’s wine output far outpaces any other nation’s. And that’s not the only impressive fact about winemaking in Italy—there are approximately 350 varieties of wine produced! Here’s a look at nine regions and some of the wines made there.
Abruzzo
This central region of Italy encompasses the provinces of Chieti, L’Aquila, Pescara and Teramo, stretching from the beaches of Adriatic Sea to the valleys and highlands of the Apennine Mountains. Chieti is where most of the wine is bottled in this area, with Montepulciano d’Abruzzo being the most popular red wine. This is a smooth, full-bodied wine with fruity hints of blackberry and plum. Another well-loved wine from the region is Trebbiano d’Abruzzo, a pale white that has a citrus flavor.
Basilicata
Located in southern Italy, Basilicata is a mountainous region that has a thousand-year history of wine-making. Its most iconic wine is Aglianico del Vulture. The distinctive taste of this red wine is thanks to the minerals in the volcanic soils of Mt. Vulture, where the grapes are grown, as well as the area’s Mediterranean climate.
Calabria
Calabria sits at the most southern tip of Italy, occupying what’s commonly referred to as the “toe” of the “boot” of the country. Inland from Calabria’s beautiful beaches and coastlines there are vineyards where exceptional varieties of red wines are made. Gaglioppo grapes are used to make Cirò, a full-bodied, sumptuous red. Alternatively, the region offers an amber-colored white dessert wine called Greco di Bianco that is strong and sweet.
Campania
Campania takes its name from the Romans, who referred to the region as “campania felix,” or “fertile countryside,” in ancient Latin. And fertile it certainly is—here, the volcanic soils, mild winters, and hot summers result in a bounty of interesting red and white wines. For example, Falerno is a wine that has been documented in ancient texts. The traditional technique used to make it yields a well-balanced, full-bodied red with a rich, deep color. A white Falerno is also produced with a dry, yet flavorful taste. Fiano and Greco di Tufo are other white wines well worth sampling, too.
Lombardy
One of the wealthiest regions in the country is Lombardy, an industrial and cultural hub of northern Italy. Exceptional wines are in high demand here. Chief among these is Franciacorta, famous as the finest sparking white wine in the country. It’s made with a mixture of Chardonnay and Pinot Bianco grapes that are harvested by hand with care. Other excellent wines from this region to try are Valtellina Rosso and Valtellina Superiore.
Marche
This area of the country is a central region that sits between the Adriatic Sea and the Apennine Mountains. Picturesque vineyards cover rolling hills where several types of grapes are cultivated. Verdicchio is an aromatic white wine with a refreshing, crisp taste. A second white wine to purchase is Bianchello del Metauro, produced from Bianchello grapes, which have been grown in the region for 1,500 years. Meanwhile, Rosso Piceno and Rosso Conero are two red wines that are certainly worth a mention. The first is a dry wine while the latter is a full-bodied red.
Puglia
Also known as Apulia, this region of Italy along the Adriatic Sea is a sunny place where full-bodied red wines are found in abundance. One bonus is that these wines are quite affordable, meaning that they are a great place to start to sample Italian wines. For a fantastic red, try Salice Salentino. Its rich taste has a light spiciness to it. Another option is Primitivo di Manduria, a rich red that comes from Taranto and Brindisi provinces.
Sardinia
The island of Sardinia boasts sandy beaches, green plains, and a rugged, mountainous interior. The most common varieties of grapes cultivated here are Grenache, Carignan, and Vermentino, which are used to make wines like Cannonau di Sardegna, Vermentino di Sardegna, Vermention di Gallura, and Carignano del Sulcis. Aside from these, there are wines made with native or lesser-known grape varieties that are worth noting, including Samidano, Torbato, Nuragus, Nasco, and Monica.
Umbria
The rolling hills and plains of this part of the country have superb cultivation conditions for several different types of grapes. Procanico and Grechetto are the main fruits used to make the region’s famous Orvieto white wine. The name comes from a community located on volcanic land, and the wine is available as a dry or semi-sweet, Secco and Abboccato, respectively. Since Abboccato is the original version, it is still favored by many, while the more recent type, Secco, is drier and lighter and becoming more popular. The best red wine from Umbria is Sagrantino di Montefalco. This is a strong, dry red full of tannins—it’s an acquired taste for some consumers.
Wines for every occasion and taste
This is but a small taste of the incredible range of wines produced in Italy. No matter if it’s a dry white, rich red, or something totally different that you’re after, you really can’t go wrong with these examples.