Italy

The ingenious world of Italian wine: a journey through history, growing regions and taste

Italy, the land of art, history and culinary delights. The land of sun, pizza and, of course, wine. This country is also home to some of the world's most renowned wine regions. A millennia-old winemaking tradition and an incredible variety of grape varieties and wine styles make Italy a wine lover's paradise. The history of Italian wine goes back a long way. It reflects the country's rich cultural diversity and terroir. Come with us on a journey through the world of Italian wines.

History of Italian wine: an ancient song of the vineyards

Wine production in Italy has an impressive history. This goes back to the ancient Romans. The introduction of grapevines by the Greeks and later the Romans laid the foundations for a flourishing wine industry. During the Middle Ages, many of the famous wine-growing regions were cultivated by monks. They constantly developed their knowledge of viticulture and cellar management. Italy was also one of the first countries to introduce a strictly controlled designation of origin for wines. These are known as Denominazione di Origine Controllata (DOC) and Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita (DOCG). You can find out more below.

Facets of wines from Italy

Italy has 20 wine-growing regions . They are spread across the country from Alto Adige in the north to Sicily in the south. Due to the differences in climate and soil, Italian wine is incredibly diverse. Most people are certainly familiar with dry Italian wines. Classic red wines such as Chianti, Montepulciano d'Abruzzo and Nero d'Avola are among them. As well as white wines from Friuli, South Tyrol or Veneto. Friuli, known for the best Italian white wines, also produces perhaps the best Prosecco in the country. South Tyrol, a well-known region for white wine, is in turn famous for excellent Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Blanc, Chardonnay and more.

While Italians drink red and white wine with their meals, a glass of Passito is often served with dessert. This sweet wine is a delight, and not just for gourmets and wine connoisseurs. Its delicious taste is produced naturally by drying the grapes. All sweet wines from Italy are made from grapes that have been dried in the air or sun. This results in a particularly concentrated and aromatic taste.

Popular growing areas and regions

With a vineyard area of around 700,000 hectares and a production of over 48 million hectoliters of wine per year, Italy is the largest wine producer in the world. Wine is grown in all 20 regions of Italy. Italy is known in the wine world for its diversity. It ranges from the alpine regions in the north to the sun-drenched coasts in the south. The best wine regions include

• Tuscany: Famous for wines such as Chianti, Brunello di Montalcino and Vino Nobile di Montepulciano.
• Piedmont: Home of the noble Barolo and Barbaresco, as well as the sparkling Moscato d'Asti.
• Sicily: An up-and-coming region known for powerful red wines such as Nero d'Avola and fresh white wines such as Grillo.
• Veneto: Famous for Prosecco, Amarone and Valpolicella.
• Alto Adige: White wines such as Gewürztraminer and Vernatsch thrive on the steep slopes here.

Quality levels in Italy

The Italian wine industry divides its wines into different quality levels, which reflect the origin, the production process and the ageing period. Wines are divided into the following quality levels:

• DOCG: Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita - highest official quality level with strict requirements
• DOC: Denominazione di Origine Controllata - controlled designation of origin
• IGT: Indicazione Geografica Tipica - geographical indication of origin
• VdT: Vino da Tavola - table wine

The DOCG areas have a total of 76 wines. These include big names such as Barolo, Brunello di Montalcino and Amarone della Valpolicella. The region with the most DOCG sub-regions is Piedmont with 18 wines.

This is followed by 330 DOC wines with a controlled designation of origin. These include, for example, Montepulciano d'Abruzzo and Primitivo di Manduria.

Finally, there are the 118 regional wines. These can be recognized by the designation IGT - Indicatione geografica tipica. But don't be fooled. Although IGT wines are the lowest of the three quality levels, they are by no means banal. They merely circumvent the regulations of Italian wine law. Great Super Tuscans such as Masseto, Tignanello or Sassicaia, for example, are classified as IGT wines, as they are not regionally compatible with Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot & Co. which are not permitted regionally by law.

The quality levels for Italian wine are distributed across the 20 regions as follows:

1000 registered grape varieties in Italy

Wine has been cultivated in Italy since ancient times. It is thanks to this fact that various grape varieties, some of which are very old, are still cultivated today. Essentially, there are around 1,000 registered grape varieties that are used for the production of very good Italian wines. These include around 400 for DOC and DOCG wines. The most important and best-known grape varieties beyond Italy's borders are Sangiovese, Nebbiolo, Barbera, Montepulciano, Nero d'Avola and Grillo. In addition Trebbiano and Grechetto.

Popular Italian wines

We would like to mention the grape variety Trebbiano as an example for white wines. It is one of the oldest varieties with a good yield. It is subdivided into further categories such as Trebbiano di Soave or Trebbiano Toscano. The Trebbiano grape is often used as part of well-known cuvées such as Frascati, Lugana or Bianco di Custoza.

A firework of flavors: red wines from Italy that inspire

Real red wine from Italy must taste like it has been "kissed by the sun"! However, tastes differ. This cannot be denied when it comes to enjoying red wine. Some people prefer a sweet wine that flatters the palate. Others treat themselves to a glass of dry Italian red wine in the evening.

Whether Vino Italia with a spicy note, Italian sweet wine with a floral bouquet, red wine with a fruity aroma. For all gourmets, occasions and celebrations, there is the perfect red wine from Italy. In the Italian wine regions, red grape varieties are cultivated whose grapes are very aromatic. Local winegrowers then use them to produce delicious Italian red wines.

Popular red grape varieties

Italy is home to a large number of red grape varieties, some of which have achieved international fame. Popular varieties include:

• Sangiovese: The main grape variety of Tuscany, producing wines such as Chianti and Brunello di Montalcino.
• Nebbiolo: Gives noble wines from Piedmont, such as Barolo and Barbaresco, their characteristic structure and finesse.
• Montepulciano: Often grown in central Italy and produces fruity and accessible wines.

Also very interesting is the red grape variety Primitivo. A well-traveled grape, known under the name Zinfandel in the USA and as Crljenak Kaštelanski in Croatia. In Apulia it is the big star, especially in the DOC Primitivo di Manduria.

Excellent red wines with very distinctive characteristics are also produced:

• Merlot
• Montepulciano
• Chianti
• Brunello
• Barolo

Another famous Italian red wine is the Amarone. It is a DOC wine. It is made from the dried grapes of the Corvina, Molinara and Rondinella grape varieties.

The melody of Italian red wines: dance partners for culinary delights

Italian red wines are known for their diversity and sophistication. They offer a wide range of flavours that harmonize perfectly with different dishes. Here are some recommended combinations:

• Pasta with tomato sauce: A fruity Chianti or Barbera perfectly complements pasta dishes with tomato sauce and spicy herbs.

• Pizza and Mediterranean dishes: Enjoy a strong Sangiovese or Primitivo with a crispy pizza. Or with Mediterranean dishes with olives, peppers and herbs.

• Grilled meat and steak: A fine Barolo or Brunello di Montalcino goes perfectly with grilled meat. Or with a juicy steak. It gives the dish a deep and complex note.

• Hard cheeses and antipasti: Finish your meal with a strong Amarone or Ripasso. These go wonderfully with hard cheeses such as Parmesan or Pecorino. Also with a selection of antipasti such as pickled vegetables and olives.

• Chocolate desserts: A full-bodied Vin Santo or Recioto della Valpolicella is the ideal accompaniment to chocolate desserts. Or with rich chocolate cakes. It provides a sweet and seductive finish.

These combinations will enchant your senses and offer an unforgettable culinary experience with Italian charm. Buon Appetito!

VINELLO's red wine top sellers from Italy

1. Trefilari Primitivo Salento IGT - Cantina Sampietrana
2. Mandus Primitivo di Manduria DOC - Pietra Pura
3. Sessantanni Primitivo di Manduria DOP - Cantine San Marzano
4. Asio Otus Vino Varietale d'Italia - Mondo del Vino
5. MEA CULPA Vino Rosso Italia - Cantine Minini

Sunshine in a glass: white wines from Italy that warm the heart

It is by no means only fine red wines such as Barbaresco and Barolo that enjoy great popularity. Italian white wines are also very popular and there are many different varieties.

There is nothing lacking in Italian white wine. It can keep up with its "red counterparts" in terms of both aroma and taste. White wine lovers who like tangy freshness will get their money's worth, as will lovers of fruity or sweet white wines.

The Germans are totally infatuated with Bella Italia. They also love Italian white wine and Italy's aromatic cuisine. The Italians' attitude to life is incomparable to ours, so you could well become envious. Would you like to feel a touch of Tuscany at home and experience the Dolce Vita in wintry Germany? Nothing could be easier.

Popular white grape varieties

Italy's wine diversity is enormous, as red and white grape varieties are grown throughout the country. Both international and local grape varieties.

A true rarity is the white Arneis. It is used to make popular spicy Italian wines with herbal aromas. It is a low-acid, very old grape variety that was already known under other names in the 15th century. A famous Italian white wine variety is the Cortese. Other popular white grape varieties from Italy are

• Trebbiano: One of the most widely cultivated white grape varieties in Italy, which produces fresh and sparkling wines.
• Garganega: The main grape variety for the famous Soave wine from Veneto, which is known for its freshness and elegance.
• Vermentino: An aromatic variety grown mainly on the Ligurian and Tuscan coasts and in Sardinia. Produces wines with citrus and herbal notes.

The radiant elegance of Italian white wines: Harmonies for culinary duets

Italian white wines embody the lightness and sophistication of Mediterranean cuisine. They offer an enticing variety of aromas and flavors. From fresh and fruity drops to complex and creamy wines. The palette is rich and offers numerous possibilities for harmonious taste experiences. Here are some food recommendations that perfectly complement the delicate nuances of Italian white wines:

• Antipasti and seafood: A fresh Pinot Grigio or Vermentino is ideal with air-dried ham and salami. Or with seafood such as oysters and prawns.

• Pasta and risotto: Enjoy a lively Sauvignon Blanc with spicy pasta dishes. Or with a creamy risotto with asparagus or seafood.

• Poultry and white meat: A full-bodied Chardonnay or Vermentino perfectly complements dishes with poultry or white meat.

• Fresh salads and light dishes: A sparkling Prosecco or Pinot Grigio goes wonderfully with fresh salads. Or with other light summer dishes.

• Soft cheeses and bruschetta: Finish your meal with a Pinot Bianco or Chardonnay. They go perfectly with soft cheeses and crispy bruschetta.

These combinations will tantalize your taste buds and offer a true feast with Italian flair. Buon Appetito!

VINELLO's white wine top sellers from Italy

1. Pecorino Terre di Chieti IGP - Tenuta Ulisse
2. Trastella Vermentino Toscana IGT - Villa Trasqua
3. Liventi Catarratto Zibibbo - Vaccaro
4. San Benedetto Lugana DOC - Zenato
5. Moscato d'Asti DOCG - Ricossa

Italian rosé wine - molto rosato, molto bene

Italy's colorful culinary delights know no bounds. Italian rosé is a bright pink example of this. In the rural hills of Tuscany and the steep vineyards of Veneto. Along the rocky coast of Sicily and the vineyards between the Adriatic coast and the Apennines. Rosé wine is omnipresent in Italy. The wonderfully radiant Italian rosés with their fruit, freshness and color go well with pasta and pizza. They open up decelerated enjoyment with an abundance of lightness. A sparkling change from the daily grind. Rosé wine from Italy at VINELLO makes every moment a gallant pleasure.

Rosé from the Italian provinces

The variety of Italian rosé wine is hard to beat. Made from the most important varieties the wine world has to offer. Winemakers from Lombardy to Apulia produce the best rosé wines for a successful Italian evening. Recently, however, more and more winegrowers are discovering the benefits of their autochthonous grape varieties. They are creating more and more local specialties from Sangiovese, Nebbiolo, Canaiolo and Vermentino. Rich in grape varieties and terroir, Italian rosé wines delight with their fresh effervescence and intense fruit. With a vino rosato, the rosé from Italy, you can discover many nuances of a great wine nation in a new guise. Cerasuolo from Abruzzo, Chiaretto Bardolino from Lake Garda or sparkling rosé sparkling wine Spumante according to the metodo classico. Italian rosé wines from dry to sweet are waiting to enrich your day with a crisp note.

Italian wines at VINELLO - your advantages

As we have now learned, Italian wine offers fabulous variety and quality. It delights wine lovers all over the world. From the picturesque hills of Tuscany to the sun-drenched vineyards of Sicily. There is an Italian wine to suit every taste and occasion. From fruity and light summer wines to complex and mature Barolo wines, there is something for everyone.

At VINELLO Weinhandel you will find top Italian wines in all price categories. Sortable by region, grape variety, winery and much more. This makes it easier for you to choose the right wine for the right occasion. An excellent wine from Italy as a gift for good friends? An affordable classic for a cozy evening? You'll find it all at VINELLO. Simply browse through our category Italian wines and order your favorite wine. No matter what the occasion.