Italian wine

Italy is a winemaking paradise. Hundreds of unique grape varieties thrive across its 20 diverse wine regions. Each area has a distinct climate, resulting in a wide range of flavours in Italian wines.

Tuscany, Piedmont, Lombardy and Sicily are just a few of the most famous wine-producing regions in Italy, each earning international recognition. Wines from these regions have become go-to’s for wine drinkers worldwide.

Italy's most famous wine regions include:

• Tuscany: Nestled in the heart of Central Italy, Tuscany is steeped in winemaking tradition. Here, you’ll find renowned wines such as Chianti, celebrated for its red and black fruit flavours, and Brunello di Montalcino, known for its deep flavours and ageing potential. Beyond these iconic wines made from native grapes, Tuscany has pushed the envelope with “Super Tuscans”. These wines break traditional blending rules, often incorporating international grapes such as Cabernet Sauvignon with the local Sangiovese.
• Piedmont: Located in northwestern Italy, Piedmont’s exceptional climate and fertile soil make it a winemaking powerhouse. The prestigious Barolo and Barbaresco red wines come from here. But it’s not all reds – the region’s Moscato d’Asti offers a sweet and lightly sparkling white alternative.
• Veneto: Beyond the canals of Venice, the northeast region of Veneto is best known for its vibrant sparkling wine Prosecco. It’s also celebrated for lush reds such as Amarone della Valpolicella, made with air-dried grapes for extra richness and more concentrated flavours.
• Lombardy: Close to Italy’s lakes in the north, Lombardy is the home of Franciacorta. This sparkling wine, made in the traditional method similar to Champagne, shines with elegance and complexity. The region’s cooler climate and limestone-rich soils are also ideal for growing white wine grapes.
• Puglia: The heel of Italy’s boot enjoys plenty of sun, making it prime territory for reds. Grapes such as Primitivo (related to California’s Zinfandel) and Negroamaro thrive here, producing robust and fruit-forward wines, often with a hint of Mediterranean herbs.
• Trentino-Alto Adige: Situated in the northernmost part of Italy and bordered by the Alps, this region enjoys a cooler climate. It’s a haven for white wines, especially those made from Pinot Grigio, known for its crispness, and Gewürztraminer, celebrated for its aromatic intensity.
• Emilia-Romagna: This region is home to the famous Lambrusco wines – a red sparkling wine with sweet flavours. The area’s Pignoletto offers a dry sparkling white option that pairs beautifully with the region’s rich culinary offerings.
• Sicily: The Italian island of Sicily has recently redefined itself in the wine world – stepping out of its mafia shadow to showcase truly excellent wines. Standout grapes include the red Nero d’Avola, offering rich berry flavours, and the whites Grillo and Catarratto, both known for their fresh and aromatic profiles. Sicily’s volcanic soils also add a unique minerality to many of its wines.

Discover more in our beginner's guide to Italian wine regions. 

To ensure the high quality and authenticity of Italian wine, the country uses a strict appellation system (similar to France). It has four main categories of quality that can help wine lovers pick outstanding wines to try – from the most basic VdT to the highest level of DOCG.

• VdT: Standing for Vino da Tavola (“table wine”), this is a base classification. The only criteria for this category is that wines are made from grapes cultivated in Italy regardless of the specific region. Wines with this label still have the potential for unique flavours despite being labelled as lower quality.
• IGT: An Indicazione Geografica Tipica (IGT) label typically requires wines to meet a geographical category, with the grapes used all coming from the named region. Despite the label suggesting lower quality, there are still excellent wines in this category – “Super Tuscans”, for example, are labelled as IGT as a protest against the stricter DOCG and DOC restrictions.
• DOC: Despite not being the highest level of quality, the Denominazione di Origine Controllata (DOC) still has strict rules to follow. It’s easy to find a prestigious wine in a variety of styles, from the fresh Prosecco to the rich Nero d’Avola. Around 330 Italian appellations have this label.
• DOCG: This is the most demanding label to achieve. Only 78 wine regions hold the title of Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita (DOCG), and each one must follow strict rules covering grapes and winemaking techniques. A panel of tasting experts are the ones who test and approve wines for this label.

Red wine takes up a significant chunk of Italy’s winemaking. Famous red wines include:

• Barolo: One of Italy’s most famous and age-worthy red wines, Barolo is made from the Nebbiolo grape. This rich, full-bodied wine is aged in oak and possesses distinct flavours reminiscent of roses and dried herbs. Known as the “King of Wines”, Barolo has DOCG classification, emphasising its superior quality. When it comes to pairing, Barolo works well with rich meats and a range of different cheese styles.
• Chianti: This iconic wine from Tuscany is made from the Sangiovese grape. It offers tastes of cherry and plum, accompanied by earthy undertones. Medium-bodied, Chianti is a versatile wine, making it a favourite for pairing with various dishes, from pasta to roasted meats.
• Barbaresco: Another gem from Piedmont, Barbaresco shares its signature Nebbiolo grape with Barolo. However, it offers a softer texture with more subtle flavours of cherry and cinnamon notes. Its aromatic profile is slightly sweet, enhancing its appeal. Rich, cheesy dishes or those with creamy sauces are great with a glass of Barbaresco. 

Italy has a wide range of white wines, each with unique characteristics and flavours. They include:

• Pinot Grigio: Perhaps Italy’s most iconic white wine. Pinot Grigio’s light and refreshing nature, with subtle notes of apple, pear and a touch of white flower, makes it an excellent choice for enjoying with a range of dishes.
• Soave: From the Veneto region in northeastern Italy, Soave is another famous Italian white wine. Produced mainly from the Garganega grape, its flavour ranges from ripe pear and citrus to a hint of sweet almond. Known for its crisp acidity and dry palate, Soave pairs wonderfully with many dishes.
• Verdicchio: Verdicchio is a crisp, dry white wine from the Marche region with citrus and almond flavours. It’s often considered one of Italy’s most characterful white wines.
• Gavi: Piedmont’s Gavi has steadily gained attention for its well-rounded taste. Made from the Cortese grape, it is packed with flavours of juicy fruits such as peach and melon, underpinned by a hint of apple, making it a refreshing choice.

Italy creates several note-worthy sparkling wines, Some of the best-known are:

• Prosecco: Made in Veneto from Glera grapes, Prosecco is Italy’s most famous sparkling wine. Dry and refreshing, it has crisp flavours of pear, green apple, honeydew melon and honeysuckle aromas.
• Asti Spumante: Offering a sweeter palate, Asti Spumante captures the essence of the Moscato Bianco grape. With a flavour profile that bursts with peach, blossom, and nectarine, its DOCG status – awarded in 1993 – is a testament to its outstanding quality and character.
• Franciacorta: This impressive sparkling wine from Lombardy is made in the same way as Champagne. Compared to Prosecco, Franciacorta is more full-bodied and complex, with citrus, peach and toasted brioche flavours. This sparkling wine can be made from various grapes, including Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Blanc.

Italy has a deeply rooted winemaking history that dates back to the 8th century BC when the Mycenaean Greeks named it “Oenotria,” or “land of vines.”

But it was the Romans who helped Italy’s wines truly flourish. They created new ways to make wine, identified the best spots for vineyards, and even classified grape varieties.

The Dark Ages saw monasteries preserving viticulture, while the Renaissance sparked improvements in production techniques.

Winemaking knowledge continued to improve, but the late 19th century saw the country’s vineyards devastated by the phylloxera pest. Winemaking was revitalised after World War II and the 'Denominazione di Origine Controllata' (DOC) system was introduced in 1963, assuring originality and quality in each bottle.

Over the centuries, Italian winemakers have honed their winemaking skills, with different regions developing their own ways of making wine. These methods, passed down through generations, have given Italian wines their unique and distinctive style.

With a rich history distilled in every drop, Italian wines are prized by wine lovers around the globe.