Italian wine

There are hundreds of unique grape varieties that thrive across Italy’s 20 wine regions. Each area has a distinct climate, which means Italy produces wines in all styles – red, white and sparkling.  

A handful of this country’s most famous red wines include:  

Barolo: 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, 

Chianti: This iconic wine from Tuscany is made from the Sangiovese grape. It offers tastes of cherry and plum, accompanied by earthy undertones. 

Barbaresco: Another gem from Piedmont, Barbaresco offers a soft texture with subtle flavours of cherry and cinnamon notes. Rich, cheesy dishes or those with creamy sauces are great with a glass of Barbaresco.  

But Italy can also produce crisp, refreshing white wines, each with unique flavours and characteristics.

Some of Italy’s best-known white styles are:  

Pinot Grigio: Perhaps Italy’s best-known 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. 

Verdicchio: A crisp, dry white wine from the Marche region with citrus and almond flavours. Verdicchio is 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. 

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 criterion 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 good quality despite their entry-level classification. 
• 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 test and approve wines for this label.

The date of your delivery will depend on which option you choose at checkout. We offer:  

Standard delivery is ideal if you’re buying for yourself or as a thank you gift. We’ll deliver your order within three working days.  

Next-day delivery is a great choice for last-minute gifts, while Named-day delivery is perfect for anniversaries, birthdays and special occasions. Do bear in mind that we don’t deliver on Sundays or Bank Holidays.  

Top tip: for the best experience, subscribe to our Unlimited service. You’ll make a one-off payment of £29.99 which entitles you to free delivery for a year – as often as you like – even on single bottles.

Our wines are covered by a no-quibble guarantee.  

That means, if, for whatever reason, a bottle fails to satisfy, we’ll arrange to collect it. You’ll have the option to either receive a full refund or replace the wine.   

It’s that simple.

100,000 customers already love our wine subscriptions, and enjoy lower prices on their favourites all year round.

With a Laithwaites wine subscription, you can tell us what kind of wine you prefer, and how many bottles you’d like to receive on each delivery.

You can then choose how often you’d like to receive your case – every four or eight weeks. And delivery is free too!