Italy Wines by Region

Question 1

Tuscany Reds

Answer 1

Sangiovese: The most planted red grape in Tuscany and all of Italy is famous from the regions of Chianti, Montalcino, and Montepulciano in Tuscany. The wines offer raspberry, roasted tomato, and balsamic flavors with earthy, wet clay. Try wines from Chianti Superiore, Vino Nobile de Montepulciano, Montecucco, and Brunello di Montalcino (Brunello being a local strain of Sangiovese).

Super Tuscan: This blend uses Merlot, Sangiovese, Sab Sauv, and Cab Franc. The wine is bold with notes of black cherry, raspberry, and leather.

Question 2

Tuscany Whites

Answer 2

Vermentino and Trebbiano are the white grapes you will commonly find in Tuscany.

Question 3

Liguria Whites

Answer 3

Vermentino: In some areas, the wine is called Pigato, which is a unique biotype of Vermentino that tends to have slightly higher aromatics and a rich, waxy texture. The Vermentino offers green herbs, citrus zest, and spice. An intriguing white from the region is a blend of primarily Vermentino, Albarola, and Bosco called Cinque Terre from around La Spezia.

Question 4

Piedmont Reds

Answer 4

Barbera: Juicy red wine with flavors of cherry and licorice with oregano on the finish. It is low tannin and has a quenching acidity. Look for Barbera d’Asti and Barbera d’Alba.

Dolcetto: Juicy red wine with lower acidity that bursts with flavors of plum, boysenberry, violet, and sometimes mocha. It has a bolder, crunchy tannin. Look for Dolcetto d’Alba and Dolcetto di Dogliani Superiore.

Nebbiolo: The grape of Piedmont’s most famous regions called Barolo and Barbaresco. It tastes of cherry, strawberry, and flowers with a frame of bolder, gripping tannins. This grape can also be found in Langhe Nebbiolo, Gattinara, Roero, and others.

Question 5

Piedmont Whites

Answer 5

Cortese: A lean, dry white that’s most known and labeled as the region Gavi. It has an intense graphite-like minerality with herbs, citrus, and grapefruit pith with a viscous body.

Arneis

Moscato d’Asti: A delicately floral sparkling sweet wine that explodes with mandarin orange, honeysuckle, orange blossom, and pear.

Question 6

Val d’Aosta Reds

Answer 6

Petit Rouge: Light red with cranberry, huckleberry, rose, dill, and wet leaves. DOCs of Enfer d’Arvier, Torrette, and Chambave all have high percentages of Petit Rouge in the blend.

This region also produces Pinot Noir rose.

Question 7

Valle d’Aosta Whites

Answer 7

Petit Arvine: Light-bodied white that is popular in Switzerland (Valais region) as well as Aosta Valley. Tastes of grapefruit and honeydew melon with high acidity and a bit of salinity.

Question 8

Lombardy Reds

Answer 8

Pinot Nero: Classic Burgundy-style Pinot Noir wines grow all over Oltrepo Pavese and are made into red, rose, and sparkling (Blanc de Noirs) wines.

Bonarda (Croatina): This is NOT the same as Bonarda in Argentine. This grape is commonly in a barely sparkling style with juicy black fruit and black and green peppercorns. The region most known for this style is Oltrepo Pavese Bonarda.

This region also makes a lighter Nebbiolo than Piedmont in Valtellina/Chiavennasca.

Question 9

Lombardy Whites

Answer 9

Grasevina (Riesling Italico or Welschriesling): Light-bodied dry white with apple and citrus flavors with undertones of pineapple and mango.

This region also makes Franciacorta made primarily with Chardonnay.

Question 10

Friuli-Venezia Giulia Reds

Answer 10

Merlot: An earthy style of Merlot with notes of leather and clove with juicy cherry flavors.

Refosco: A spicy, tart red with notes of tart cherry and blackberry with peppery, flinty notes and lower tannin.

Question 11

Friuli-Venezia Giulia Whites

Answer 11

Pinot Grigio: One of the top 2 regions making the best Pinot Grigio in Italy. Wines are dry, lean, and minerally with notes of peach, lemon-lime, and salinity. Romato is the skin contact Pinot Grigio of the area that is famous.

Sauvignon: Usually a blend of Sauvignon Blanc and Sauvignonasse with green, zesty flavors of gooseberry, lime, honeydew melon, lemongrass, and pea shoots.

Question 12

Trentino-Alto Adige Reds

Answer 12

Teroldego: Bold but juicy red with notes of blackberry, sweet anise, orange peel, and sweet tobacco smoke.

Lagrein: Rustic, earthy red with black cherry and plums wrapped in espresso, graphite, and fine-grained tannin.

Schiava/Vernatsch: Light-bodied, dry, fruity, and floral red wine with notes of cherry, strawberry, violet, and sometimes cotton-candy-like flavors.

Question 13

Trentino-Alto Adige Whites

Answer 13

Pinot Grigio: One of the top 2 regions for Pinot Grigio in Italy. Look for it labeled from either Alto Adige or Trentino.

Trento: Using Chard, Trento makes a Blanc de Blancs style sparkling wine with notes of apple, lemon peel, honeycomb, and creamy bubble finesse.

This region also makes a great Pinot Bianco, Gewurztraminer, and Muller-Thurgau (the latter two are sweeter expressions).

Question 14

Veneto Reds

Answer 14

Corvina: It is the most important of a blend of 3 grapes (Corvina, Rondinella, and Molinara) used in Valpolicella and Barddino. Tart cherry, cinnamon, carob (sweeter, less bitter chocolate), and green peppercorn notes. Try Valpolicella Superiore Ripasso and Amarone Della Valpolicella.

Merlot: Planted all over Italy but is very present in Veneto, offering red cherry in a more elegant style. Several regions use Merlot including Colli Euganei, Colli Berici, Breganze, and Vicenza.

Question 15

Veneto Whites

Answer 15

Glera (Prosecco): Mostly grown in Veneto around the regions of Valdobbiadene. Look for Colli Asolani and Valdobbiadene Conegliano or Prosecco Superiore.

Garganega: A grape mostly found around Soave and Gambellara and labeled as such. Dry and lean with notes of preserved lemon, honeydew melon, and a touch of green almond on the finish.

Question 16

Emilia Romagna Reds

Answer 16

Lambrusco: Grouping of several varieties of red grape Lambrusco that makes for a light-bodied sparkling red wine with notes of strawberry, blackberry, rhubarb, and hibiscus. There are several sweetness levels available too from Secco (dry) to Dolce (sweet).

Question 17

Marche Reds

Answer 17

Sangiovese: Typically a more herbaceous style with ripe plum and berry flavors, bold tannins, and dried herbs on the finish. Look for Colli Pesaresi Sangiovese.

Montepulciano: Smoky tobacco, mocha, and wild berry that range from supply and smooth to cherry on the finish. Look for Rosso Conero.

Lacrima: An up-and-coming red grape in the region that is similar to Syrah. The Lacrima di Morro d’Alba is aromatic and richly flavored, showing intense floral and spiced characters on the nose with a fresh, berry-dominated palate.

Question 18

Marche Whites

Answer 18

Verdicchio: A lean, dry white with pear skin and preserved lemon flavors supported by a creamy, oily palate. Look for Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi.

Pecorino: A special find which is dry, acidic, and elegantly floral with jasmine and a minerally finish. Find the Offida DOCG.

Question 19

Umbria Reds

Answer 19

Sangiovese: Full-bodied style with raspberry, plum, and tobacco flavors and ample acidity and bold, chewy tannins. Look for Montefualco Rosso and Torgiano.

Sagrantino: Possibly the world’s most high-tannin red wine. Exudes deep, lush plum, blackberry, black cherry, and subtle notes of vanilla, sage, and bergamot. Tannin builds to bitter green flavors on the finish.

Question 20

Umbria Whites

Answer 20

Grechetto: Lean, dry white with melon and starfruit flavors that lead to a minerally, zesty finish. Find Orvietto, a blend of Grechetto and other varieties as well as wines labels Grechetto from Umbria and its subregions.

Question 21

Abruzzo Reds

Answer 21

Montepulciano: Wine grape with medium body and notes of plum, boysenberry, and coffee flavors with subtle notes of herbs and crushed black pepper. Look for Montepulciano d’Abruzzo.

Question 22

Abruzzo Whites

Answer 22

Trebbiano: One of Italy’s most planted but least talked about white grapes that produce medium to full-bodied white wines with citrus, apple, and tropical fruit in a similar style to Chardonnay.

Question 23

Molise Reds

Answer 23

Montepulciano: Dry, full-bodied, moderately tannic red wine with flavors of sweet wild berries, prunes, smoke, and cocoa. Montepulciano del Molise has a special Riserva bottling that has extended aging time and is usually exceptional for its value. Also, check out Biferno Rosso which is a Montepulciano and Aglianico blend.

Tintilia del Molise: Very rare, full-bodied red with blackberry, plum, violet, and cocoa notes. It can have bolder tannins and is said to be able to age for a long time.

Question 24

Puglia Reds

Answer 24

Primitivo: Explodes with strawberry, blackberry, leather, and smoke. This is the same grape as Zinfandel.

Negroamaro: Deeper, darker red from Puglia with more plum and herbal notes of sage and oregano. There is a blend with Malvasia Nera and together they make a perfect balance in a rich red wine called Salice Salentino DOC.

Question 25

Calabria Reds

Answer 25

Gaglioppo: Spiced cedar, dusty leather, and herbs reveal crushed cherry and cranberry flavors.

Question 26

Sicily Reds

Answer 26

Nero d’Avola: Bolder red wine variety with fruity flavors of plum, raspberry, and licorice with fine tannins and a somewhat smoky, spicy finish.

Etna Rosso:
Nerello Mascalese
Nerello Cappuccio

Question 27

Sicily Whites

Answer 27

Inzolia, Grillo, and Catarratto: Three white wine grapes typically used for Marsala but also make for more full-bodied, Chardonnay-like whites. Notes of lemons, apple, mango, tarragon, and a salty breeze.

Question 28

Basilicata Reds

Answer 28

Aglianico: A full-bodied red wine with deep savory notes of white pepper, smoke, and cured meat that gives way to black cherry and spiced plum. It has high tannins and acidity that make it so it improves with a decade of age. Look for Aglianico del Vulture

Question 29

Campania Reds

Answer 29

Aglianico: A full-bodied red wine with deep savory notes of white pepper, smoke, and cured meat that gives way to black cherry and spiced plum. It has high tannins and acidity that make it so it improves with age. Look for Aglianico del Taburno.

Question 30

Campania Whites

Answer 30

Falanghina: A fuller-bodied white (similar to Chard) with peach, lemon, and pear flavors with subtle notes of honey and sweet-smelling flowers.

Question 31

Sardinia Reds

Answer 31

Cannonau (Grenache): Distinctly leather and strawberry-like notes with a juicy full-bodied style and medium tannin.

Carignano (Carignan): Bursting with red berry, balsamic, and leather flavors with a smoother, supple, low tannin finish. Look for Carignano del Sulcis.

Question 32

Sardinia Whites

Answer 32

Vermentino: Dry, medium-bodied white with flavors of grapefruit, lime, mango, and apple flavors with flowery aromas. Look for Vermentino di Sadegna and Vermentino di Gallura.

Question 33

Lazio Reds

Answer 33

Merlot Sangiovese Blends: Offer blackberry, chocolate, mint, and tobacco-like flavors. Essentially a “Super Lazio”

Cesanese: An ancient bold, rustic red with savory notes of roasted meat, wild berries, and scorched earth.

Question 34

Lazio Whites

Answer 34

Frascati: Blend of white grapes that primarily include Malvasia and Trebbiano but may also include Chard and others. Usually relatively light alcohol with flavors of lemon and flinty notes due to the region’s volcanic soils.