With over 2000 years of grape growing and winemaking, Italy is home to some of the best wines in the world. This prestigious winemaking country has practically every part of it covered by grapes; it’s no surprise that Italy has over 350 “authorized” grape varieties and nearly 1 million vineyards under cultivation. A country with rich history, this is a place where storage techniques and large scale production was pioneered.
History
Although the Romans were the founders of storage techniques and large scale production, it was when the Greeks colonized Italy that the wine production began to blossom. The Mycenaean Greeks introduced viticulture to Sicily and the southern region of Italy. It was when the Romans defeated and enslaved the Carthaginians, who had the knowledge of good winemaking, that winemaking in Italy flourished; the enslaving of the Carthaginians helped with the production of wine. In this time period, viticulture was restricted outside of Italy because of an excess of vineyards throughout the Roman Empire, this affected the production of food.
The Regions and Its Characteristics
ABRUZZIO
Climate:
• Coastal plains features a very hot and dry climate
• Mountainous areas are cool and damp
Grape Type:
• Dolcetto
• Malbec
• Merlot
• Montepulciano
• Pinot Nero
• Sangiovese
• Pinot Bianco
• Pinot Grigio
• Riesling Italica
• Riesling Renano
• Sylvaner Verde
• Tramine Aromatico
• Tocai Friulano
• Veltiner
APULIA
Climate:
• Rainy during winter months
• Northern region has moderate climate
• Southern peninsula is hot
Soil Type:
• Rocky hills
• Plains
Grape Type:
• Aleatico Barbera
• Bombino Nero
• Malvasia Nero
• Negroamaro
• Primitivo
• Sangiovese
• Uva di Troia
• Bianco d’Alessano
• Bambino Bianco
• Malvasia Bianca
• Trebbiano
• Verdeca
BASILICATA
Climate:
• Hot and dry
• Cool and wet in the mountainous areas
Soil Type:
• Volcanic
• Rich with minerals
Grape Type:
• Aglianico
• Barbera
• Canosina
• Sangiovese
• Malvasi Nera
• Montepulciano
• Uva di Troia
• Bambino Bianco
• Fiano
• Malvasi
• Moscato
• Santa Sofia
CALABRIA
Climate:
• Range and varies
Soil Type:
• Rocky
• Volcanic
Grape Type:
• Gaglioppo
• Greco Nero
• Maggliappo Canino
• Nerello Cappucio
• Nerello Mascalese
• Sangiovese
• Greco Bianco
• Gurnaccia
• Malvasia Bianco
• Montonico
• Moscato
• Toscano
• Trebbiano
CAMPANIA
Climate:
• Temperate
Soil Type:
• Volcanic tuffa soil
• Rich and fertile
Grape Type:
• Aglianico
• Aleatico
• Barbera
• Piedirosso
• Sciascinoso
• Biancolella
• Coda di Volpe
• Falanghina, Fiano
• Greco, Malvasia
• Trebbiano
• Verdeca.
EMILIA-ROMAGNA
Climate:
• Mountainous regions are cool
• Coastal regions are warm
Soil Type:
• mineral-filled soil as a result of flowing water.
• Rocky
Grape Type:
• Sangiovese
• Cagnina
• Albana
• Malvasa
• Orturgo
• Trebbiano
• Pagadebit.
LAZIO
Climate:
• Hot and dry near its boundaries
• Wetter and cooler climate towards the inland
Grape Type:
• Montepulciano
• Malvasia
• Trebbiano
MARCHE
Climate:
• Two-thirds mountainous regions
• Remaining portion is hilly
Soil Type:
• Volcanic
• Rocky
Grape Type:
• Ciliegido
• Bianchello
• Maceratino
• Montecchiese
• Trebbiano
• Malvasia
• Toscana
• Pinot Bianco
• Verdicchio
• Vernaccia
• Passerina
MOLISE
Climate:
• Coastal plains have Mediterranean climate
• Mountainous regions have a continental climate
Soil Type:
• Volcanic
• Rocky
Grape Type:
• Aglianco
• Barbera
• Bombino Rosso
• Montepulciano
• Sangiovese
• Bombino Bianco
• Falanghina
• Fiano
• Greco
SARDINIA
Climate:
• Low rainfall
Soil Type:
• Granite and volcanic characteristics
Grape Type:
• Cannonau
• Carighan and Monica
• Malvasia
• Moscato
• Nuragus
• Vermentino
• Vernaccia
SICILY
Climate:
• Very windy
• Hot weather
Soil:
• Rocky
Grape Type:
• Nero d’Avola
• Cataratto
• Inzolia
• Malvasia
• Zibibbo
TUSCANY
Climate:
• The coast faces Tyrrhenian Sea and shares the climate
• Climate varies in mountainous regions
Soil Type:
• Alluvial soil
• Rocky
Grape Type:
• Sangiovese
• Cabernet Sauvignon
• Chardonnay
• Pinot Grigio
• Trebianno
• Vernaccia
UMBRIA
Climate:
• Moderate Climate
Soil Type:
• Rocky
Grape Type:
• Ciliegiolo
• Sagratino
• Sangiovese
• Grechetto
• Drupeggio
• Malvasia
• Trebbiano
• Verdello
Labelling and Appellation System
Italy’s labelling system is based on four different classes. Two of the classes fall under the European Union category called Quality Wine Produced in a Specific Region (QWPSR) and two under the category of ‘table wine.’
QWPSR
Denominazione di Origine Controllata (DOC) – This class refers to areas more specific than what IGT would indicate. This would also mean that the grape used is more specifically defined.
Denominazione di Origine Contrallata Garantita (DOCG) - This class has all the criteria that DOC posseses. The difference is that this class of wines must pass a blind taste test for quality. In addition to quality, the blind taste testing is to ensure that demands are met with the strict legal requirements.
TABLE WINE
Vino da Tavola - This shows an inferior wine from Italy. This may also indicate that the appellation is not followed by current law.
Indicazione Geografica Tipica (IGT) – This indicates a more specific region within Italy. This also indicates that these wines follow a new appellation system; one that does not follow old wine laws. Wines with this label are of great quality.
Well-Known Wines
• Biondi-Santi Brunello
• Masi Amarone “Costasera”
• Aldo Conterno
• Masi Mazzano Amarone
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