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Here is your ultimate primer on Italian wines. This page is a great quick reference for anyone who has just started to learn about wine, or even if you are an experienced wine drinker looking to brush up.
How To Read a Wine Label
It can be hard to read European labels, especially those that come from Italy. Understanding the meaning of your bottle’s language can be understood by using a few key terms.
DOCG: An abbreviation for Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita. This is the highest classification of Italian wines. All aspects of production are governed by strict rules. The rules include the types of grapes that can be grown and how wine can be aged. Italy has 74 DOCGs, the latest being added in 2011.
DOC: An abbreviation for Denominazione di Origine Controllata. It is one level below DOCG. The rules for production and style are not as strict as the DOCGs. The most recent additions to the DOCs were approved in mid-2018.
IGT: An abbreviation for Indicazione Geografica Tipica. This classification was introduced in 1992 and allows winemakers the freedom to use grapes or craft styles that are not permitted under DOC or DOCG regulations. Currently, there are 118 IGTs.
Riserva: Indicates a wine that has been aged significantly longer than normal, although rules differ among denominations.
Superiore: Indicates a designation of higher quality, generally affixed to a region name (i.e. Soave Superiore).
Classico: Indicates wines produced in a specific area within a particular region (i.e. Chianti Classico), which is considered to be the original production area.
Azienda Agricola: A farm that produces its grapes to make its wine.
Annata (or Vendemmia): A specific harvest, vintage or harvest.
Produttore: Producer
Tenuta: Estate
Vigneto: Vineyard
Italian Wine Regions
Americans are attracted to Italian wine because of its variety of styles, the protection of native varieties, food friendliness, and often great value. Italy’s image is also boosted by its romantic landscapes. There are countless nuances to Italian wine. This overview will give you a good start.
Valle d’Aosta
This region, which shares a border with France and Switzerland in the northwest, doesn’t produce much. Very little of the wine produced in this region reaches the U.S. Nebbiolo, Pinot Nero and Petit Rouge are the main grapes grown in this region.
Other varieties: Fumin Moscato Petit Arvine
Piedmont
Piedmont is located in northwest Italy at the foothills of the Western Alps. The chilly mountain climate and balmy Mediterranean influence the climate. The climate is ideal for Nebbiolo – the black grape which produces the most famous wines of the region: Barolo and Barbaresco. Barbera and Dolcetto are two other popular red grapes that are well-known for their lower prices and short-term drinkability.
Cortese grapes and Arneis are also popular in Piedmont. The first is the only grape used in Gavi DOCG while the second thrives in Roero DOCG. Moscato d’Asti is a sweet and fizzy sparkling wine made in Asti DOCG.
Other varieties: Brachetto, Freisa, Grignolino, Nascetta, Ruche, Timorasso, Vespolina
Liguria
This small coastal region, located between France and Tuscany along the Mediterranean Sea, is primarily focused on white wines. Most of the whites exported to the U.S. are made with Vermentino or Pigato. Rossese is the key red, and it’s found in fruity Dolceacqua DOC.
Other varieties: Ciliegiolo Dolcetto Sangiovese
Lombardy
Lombardy, located in central Italy’s north, is home to many of the most beautiful lakes. It is a bubbly wine paradise because of the cooling effect of the Alps. The Franciacorta DoCG is a metodo classicalo wine made in Italy from Chardonnay and Pinot Bianco. Nebbiolo grapes are the primary grape in red wines such as Valtellina Rosso DOC and Sforzato Di Valtellina DOCG.
Other varieties: Barbera, Croatina
Trentino-Alto Adige
Trentino Alto Adige, home to the stunning Dolomites is a mix of Italian and Austro Hungarian influences. This sunny region at high altitude is home to a unique group of grapes. Pinot Nero is a well-known red wine. Schiava, Lagrein and Pinot Nero are also popular. Pinot Grigio is the white wine of choice. Chardonnay also has a strong following, particularly as a base of traditional method sparkling wine from Trento DOC.
Other varieties: Gewurztraminer, Kerner, Muller-Thurgau, Pinot Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling, Teroldego
Veneto
Veneto is rich in history, beauty, and wine. This is due to the numerous microclimates. Take a look at its natural contours. It has Alps to the north, Lake Garda to the west, and the Adriatic Sea in the southeast.
Veneto is famous for its Pinot Grigio, but it’s also because of the demand for Prosecco. Conegliano Valdobbiadene DOCG, Cartizze DOCG are both great versions of this wine. Valpolicella DOC, Amarone della Valpolicella DOCG and the red and rose wines of Bardolino DOC are all based on Corvina. Garganega dominates the Soave DOC east of Verona while Trebbiano dominates the Lugana DOC white wines on the southern shores Lake Garda.
Other varieties: Cabernet Franc, Corvinone, Merlot, Molinara, Rondinella
Friuli-Venezia Giulia
Friuli’s terrain is located in the northeastern corner of the region, bordering Austria and Slovenia. It juxtaposes the Alps with the flatlands along the Adriatic coast. This unique climate is ideal for growing a wide range of grapes, both white and red.
Over 75% of production is white, with a focus on Pinot Grigio and Sauvignon Blanc. Ribolla Gialla, Friulano, and Ribolla Grialla are also popular. Merlot, Refosco, and Schioppettino reds are delicious, but less known.
Other varieties: Cabernet Franc (Chardonnay), Picolit, Verduzzo
Emilia-Romagna
Emilia Romagna, considered the food capital of Italy, is also a prolific producer of wine. Lambrusco is the region’s most famous sparkling red wine. Trebbiano is a grape variety that produces a white wine.
Other varieties: Albana Malvasia Sangiovese
Tuscany
Tuscany stretches across rolling countryside and is located centrally along the Tyrrhenian Sea coast on the west. For reds, its most famous Sangiovese-based wines are the Chianti, Chianti Classico ,Vino Nobile di Montepulciano and Brunello di Montalcino DOCGs. Toscana is a label given to many wines that don’t meet the traditional production standards. These wines may be made from 100% Sangiovese, or a blend of international varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon or Syrah. Vernaccia di San Gimignano is the most famous white appellation.
Other varieties: Canaiolo Nero, Trebbiano, Vermentino
Umbria
The small region of central Italy to the east of Tuscany is often overshadowed by its neighbor. This hilly terrain, surrounded by the snowcapped Apennines produces age-worthy reds. Grechetto is a crisp, dry white that can be consumed young.
Other varieties: Canaiolo (Sangiovese), Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Trebbiano
Marche
Marche (pronounced mar-Kay) is located along the eastern coast of central Italy. Rosso Conero DOC is based on Montepulciano, a black grape.
Other varieties: Passerina, Pecorino, Trebbiano
Lazio
Lazio not only has Rome as its capital, but it also boasts a rich wine heritage. This region is known for its easy-drinking and youthful white wines. The region produces great wines, but the main exports are the dry, crisp styles of Frascati DOC (which borders Umbria) and Orvieto DOC (which is also bordered by Umbria).
Other varieties: Cesanese Merlot Sangiovese
Abruzzo
Abruzzo, located on the Adriatic coast next to Lazio, is a mountainous area rich in ancient winemaking tradition. Abruzzo, which is fifth in volume of production, is known for its Montepulciano grape. This should not be confused with Tuscany, where Sangiovese dominates. Montepulciano d’Abruzzo DOC, the regional designation for red wines produced from this grape variety, is different from Cerasuolo d’Abruzzo DOC for rose wines. Trebbiano d’Abruzzo DOC, the region’s main white grape variety, is DOC-designated.
Other varieties: Chardonnay, Cococciola, Passerina, Pecorino, Sangiovese
Molise
A mountainous region located in central Italy, Molise is just below Abruzzo. This region is best known for its Trebbiano, Montepulciano and Biferno DOC.
Other varieties: Aglianico Cabernet Sauvignon Sangiovese Tintilia
Campania
Campania wines, which are best known in the U.S. for their wines from Naples and Amalfi, are also becoming more popular, especially with the rise of volcanic wines. Taurasi DOCG is the most popular red wine, followed by Aglianico del Taburno DOCG. Both are based on Aglianico, a red grape. Fiano di Avellino DOCG, and Greco di Tufo DOCG, both based on Fiano, are the most famous whites.
Other varieties: Caprettone Falanghina Piedirosso
Basilicata
Basilicata is located in southern Italy. Its production of wine is small compared to other more famous regions. It’s a mostly mountainous, landlocked region nestled in the arch of the shoe. Campania is to the west, and Puglia, to the east. Although it only has a few DOCs the most popular one is Aglianico del Vulture. It’s based on the black grape Aglianico, which is full-bodied.
Other varieties: Fiano, Greco Bianco, Malvasia Bianca, Moscato
Puglia
The south region is gaining popularity with its affordable wines made from indigenous grapes. The warm Mediterranean climate produces robust, ripe reds made from Primitivo, also known as Zinfandel. Zinfandel and Negroamaro are two of the most popular reds in this region.
Other varieties: Chardonnay, Bombino Bianco, Bombino Nero, Moscato, Nero di Troia, Susumaniello
Calabria
Calabria is located on the southwest coast of Italy. It juts between the Ionian Sea and the Tyrrhenian Sea, separated from Sicily via the Strait of Messina. The wines are a reflection of the climate along the coast. Calabria’s Ciro DOC produces mainly reds based upon the tannic Gaglioppo. The blend of Greco Bianco with Montonico Bianco produces a small amount of white wine.
Other varieties: Nerello Cappuccio, Nerello Mascalese
Sicily
Sicily is the largest island of the Mediterranean. Its warm, dry climate and abundant sunshine make it ideal for viticulture. Grillo produces juicy, peachy, and fruity white wines. Both are produced by the Sicilia DOC. Nero d’Avola and Frappato are blended in the south to create Cerasuolo di Vittoria DOCG. Etna’s DOC wines are made from the red grape Nerello Mascalese, and the white grape Carricante. Marsala DOC, the fortified western wine, is made from red grapes.
Other varieties: Catarratto and Inzolia
Sardinia
The island of the Mediterranean is more famous for its beaches and Pecorino than its wine. However, there are now more producers exporting to the U.S. Cannonau is the local name of Grenache. Also look out for Carignano, or Carignan. Vermentino, a floral and salty wine from the northeast, is a flowery and salty wine.
Other varieties : Monica