From around the world

Italy

More indigenous grape varieties than any other country on earth.

Wine history

The Greeks called southern Italy Oenotria, the land of trained vines. Rome industrialised production and exported it across Europe; after a mid-twentieth-century slump toward volume, the Super Tuscan movement and a wave of quality-focused growers restored Italy's standing from Piedmont to Sicily.

Major Wine Regions

Piedmont
Tuscany
Veneto
Friuli
Campania
Sicily

Important Grape Varieties

Sangiovese
Nebbiolo
Barbera
Corvina
Glera
Aglianico
Nero d'Avola

Major Wine Styles

Perfumed, tannic Barolo
Savoury Chianti Classico
Amarone from dried grapes
Light sparkling Prosecco
Skin-contact Friulian whites

Food Pairings

Bistecca alla Fiorentina
Truffle tagliatelle
Osso buco
Parmigiano-Reggiano
Wild boar ragù

Notable wines

Barolo Monfortino
Brunello di Montalcino
Sassicaia
Amarone della Valpolicella
Tignanello

Recognisable brands

Antinori
Gaja
Frescobaldi
Ruffino
Santa Margherita