8 Italian White Wines You Need To Try

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Italian White Wines to Discover

1. Pinot Grigio

Pinot Grigio, arguably Italy’s most recognised and popular white wine, is grown in various regions across the country, including Veneto, Lombardy and Alto Adige. It’s loved for its lively green apple, pear and citrus flavours, vibrant acidity and dryness.

Pinot Grigio is a versatile wine that can be enjoyed all by itself. However, it really shines when paired with light bites and fresh dishes. Think grilled chicken salad, poached salmon, light crab rolls, gentle green risottos, crispy calamari and soft cow’s cheeses such as Brie and Burrata.

Many high-quality Pinot Grigio wines are reasonably priced, making them an excellent choice to serve to white wine drinkers at your party or celebration.

2. Cortese

Although Piedmont is famous for its red Nebbiolo wines, this northern region is also home to Cortese – the grape behind the region’s famous white, Gavi.

Gavi is valued for its well-balanced, refreshing nature and shine with enticing fruit flavours such as peach, apple, lemon and melon.

Like Pinot Grigio, these wines have a sharp acidity and a light to medium body, making them a popular choice for an aperitivo or paired with dishes that complement their subtle flavours. Ideal partners include light risottos, pasta dishes and a range of seafood – all dishes that allow Cortese’s flavours and acidity to shine.

Tip From the Tasting Room: Villa Broglia Gavi di Gavi - a star of Gavi, sipped over the years by diplomats, politicians, even popes. It's from an exceptional family estate with vineyards in the superior Gavi di Gavi. Savour its creamy pear fruit balanced by piercing lemon freshness.

3. Falanghina

Maybe one of Italy’s lesser-known white wines, Falanghina grapes thrive in the Campania region. Falanghina creates lively, bright wines with obvious aromas and a distinct minerality resulting from the grapes growing in fertile volcanic soil.

White wine lovers adore Falanghina wines because of their rich floral and fruit notes, including apple, pear, citrus and the occasional sweet kick of tropical, honeyed fruit. Some may even detect a subtle hint of almond or a spicy undertone. The best Falanghina wines can benefit from two to three years in the cellar.

These flavours make Falanghina an ideal dinner date for seafood – think fish, mussels, scallops and linguine with clams. Pork, chicken and certain cured meats wouldn’t be out of place with a glass of Falanghina.

4. Garganega

Grown everywhere from the Alpine foothills to sun-drenched Sicily, Garganega is famous for being the primary grape in Soave wines, produced in the Veneto region in northeast Italy.

Typically, Garganega grapes make medium-bodied wines with high acidity and a heady mix of fresh peach, apricot and zesty lemon flavours.

Soave wines can vary from crisp and light to rich and full-bodied, depending on how they’re made. Occasionally aged in oak, the best Soave wines are matured on their lees (residual yeast cells), introducing a creamy texture and more complex flavours such as honey and vanilla.

The highest quality Soave wines, often from the Soave Classico DOC or Soave Superiore DOCG regions, offer a balanced combination of ripe fruit flavours and acidity. They feature a unique mineral quality from the volcanic soils in which the grapes are grown.

These wines also have the potential to age well, often developing more complex, nutty and honeyed flavours over time.

As for food pairings, Soave is commonly paired with seafood because of its rich texture, citrus fruit notes and minerality. Other popular pairings include creamy chicken dishes and veal-based Cotoletta alla Milanese.

5. Lucido

Previously known as Catarratto, Lucido is the grape behind Sicily’s most revered white wines.

Despite the new moniker, its popularity among Italian wine drinkers remains unchanged. Lucido is commonly blended with Carricante, another of Sicily’s distinguished white wine grapes, to create easy-drinking, aromatic white wines.

Lucido wines are often characterised by their light to medium body and refreshing acidity. They have an aromatic profile, with appealing notes of stone fruit, apple and citrus with a touch of honeysuckle, almond and herbal undertones. Some versions may also hint at minerality, reflecting the volcanic soils commonly found in Sicily.

Pair Lucido with roasted or steamed fish, shellfish, soft cheeses and vegetable-laden vegetarian dishes.

Tip From the Tasting Room: w/o Organic Lucido - a mouthwatering Sicilian white wine crafted by winemaker Dino Taschetta. It’s made without compromise, using organically grown native grapes and bottled in 100% recycled glass. Aromatic, with ripe peach, apricot and light citrus notes.

6. Trebbiano

Trebbiano – known as Ugni Blanc in France – is notable for being one of the most widely planted grapes worldwide.

It’s also a key component in the production of Vin Santo, a traditional Italian dessert wine. While often seen as a workhorse grape for blends, it can produce elegant and refreshing single-varietal wines in the right hands.

These light-bodied wines have high acidity and subtle fruit flavours of lemon, green apple and stone fruit, with citrus and white blossom aromas.

Trebbiano is the perfect pick for outdoor get-togethers and picnics or any time you want a light and easy-drinking wine. It’s a sure crowd-pleaser, especially when paired with a selection of antipasti or lightly grilled vegetables.

7. Verdicchio

Are you a fan of zesty and refreshing Sauvignon Blanc? Meet a new favourite – Verdicchio. Despite being a top contender for Italy’s best white wine, Verdicchio is often overlooked outside its home country.

Thanks to its high acidity, winemakers in this region can create a wide variety of wine styles, from still and sparkling to even sweet versions. The most exceptional Verdicchio wines are from the Castelli di Jesi Classico sub-region.

These wines can age beautifully, often for a decade or more. Regardless of style, Verdicchio wines often feature lovely almond hints and generous ripe citrus and mineral flavours.

Versatile Verdicchio pairs brilliantly with various foods, thanks to its high acidity and intricate flavours. Its zesty and mineral notes make it a perfect match for all kinds of seafood, including grilled fish and shellfish. It also complements poultry and white meats like chicken, turkey and pork, especially when cooked with herbs or citrus. The wine also pairs nicely with mild to medium cheeses such as mozzarella, young pecorino or Feta.

8. Prosecco

Italy’s famous fizz, Prosecco, is a welcome guest at any party.

Made from white Glera grapes in the Veneto and Friuli Venezia Giulia regions in northeast Italy, the most premium bottles of Prosecco are crafted in the Conegliano Valdobbiadene Superiore DOCG region.

Prosecco is loved for its fresh, vibrant taste and aromas. It is typically fruit-forward and floral, with dominant flavours of green apple, pear and honeydew melon with white flower aromas.

Prosecco is a surprisingly food-friendly sparkling wine, perfect as an aperitivo or served with a main course or dessert. It works well with salty, fried foods or spicy dishes – Thai noodles, fried calamari and seared tuna are delicious options. If you are looking to satisfy your sweet tooth, opt for a glass with a fresh fruit salad, crème brûlée or cheesecake.

Tip From the Tasting Room: Alessandro Gallici Prosecco - it's elegant and creamy with a gentle sparkle, it’s deliciously easy-drinking and makes the perfect aperitivo.