Wine of Italy

Italy is one of the oldest wine-producing regions in the world and remains one of the largest exporters of wine in the world today. In fact, only France leads Italy in the amount of wine produced with 4.7 million liters produced in 2009 as opposed to 4.65 liters produced in the same year by Italian wineries. In part due to the high quality of wine produced within the country, Italians consume more wine than any other nationality of people in the world with consumption per capital reaching 42 liters in 2009, and up to 70 liters in the Vatican City State. In comparison, the average American consumed approximately 9 liters in the same year. The rich history of wine production in Italy has made the beverage a part of the culture, with a glass or two enjoyed with most meals.

• Wine Production by Country – A list of countries in order of the amount of wine produced.
• A Novice’s Guide to Wine – Wine culture can be confusing. This guide will help you enjoy it.
• Wine and Rome – The Vatican City State consumes more wine per capita than any “country” in the world. Learn how the relationship between wine and Rome began.
• Wine Culture in Europe – Wine is largely considered just another drink in Europe. See the differences between Europe and America.
• Wine in Italy Facts – A presentation on the role of wine in Italian culture.
• Introduction to Wine – The consumption and celebration of quality wine plays a significant role in Italian life.
• Wine Consumption by Country – A listing of wine consumption per capita by country.

History of Italian Wine

While the grape has been part of Italian culture since before recorded history, it was not until the Greeks colonized the region that wine-making took hold. First introduced to Sicily by the Mycenaean Greeks and further advanced after the Roman defeat of the Carthaginians, winemaking was an extremely valuable industry by the turn of the first century. Wine consumption soon became a part of Italian culture and the advancement of viticulture over ensuing centuries led Italy to its place of prominence in the field, producing approximately 20 percent of the global total.

• Song of the Vine – Cornell University explores the rich history of grape cultivation and viticulture.

Italy’s Four Classes of Wine

The European Union has wine regulations to regulate many aspects of winemaking. The aspect that has the most relevance to Italy’s appellation system is the EU’s classification of wine. According to this classification, wine falls into two categories: table wine (TW) and Quality Wines Produced in Specified Regions (QWpsr) with the latter being the higher quality wine. 

Italy’s appellation system classifies wine in four categories, with two being TW and the other two being QWpsr. The table wine classes are Vino da Tavola (VDT) and Indicazione Geografica Tipica (IGT). The former simply means the wine was made in Italy, while the latter relays the message that the wine was made in a specific region of Italy. IGT is considered to be of a higher quality than VDT. 

The two QWpsr classes of Italian wine are Denominazione di Origine Controllata (DOC) and Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita (DOCG). These two classifications connote wine that was made in very specific regions of Italy. Both accept only very specific varieties of grapes and this adherence to quality ensures the continued respect of the DOC and DOCG labels. The main difference between the two classifications is that the latter, considered to be of a higher quality, must not only meet the strict standards of preparation and manufacturing of a DOC wine, but also pass a blind taste test for quality.

• Appellation as an Indicator of Quality – Italy’s appellation system ensures you know what you’re getting before you remove the cork.
• The French Origin of Appellation – Learn how the French originated quality control in wine production.
• Imported Italian Wine Regulations – Italian wines must fulfill many requirements before it can be brought onto US soil. Learn what these requirements are.

Wine-relevant Geographic Characteristics of Italy

Italy not only makes great wine because of the rich history of winemaking within the country, but because of certain geographic characteristics of the region. The most important might be the latitudinal area the region covers, allowing for a wide variety of grapes to be cultivated and, additionally, the development of distinct wine production methods. Italy also boasts a variety of terrain which leads to an even wider variety of grapes. Finally, Italy’s moderate climate allows for a long growing season.

• Wine-Tasting Terminology – Ever wonder what is meant by a “chewy” wine? Look no further than this glossary.
• Growing and Winemaking in Italy – An article on the current state of Italian wine production.
• What Makes for Good Soil? – How Italy’s soil has come to produce such high quality grapes.

Wine Regions

Italy has 20 wine regions, each different from one another in distinct ways, and each producing a distinct flavor of wine. Some of these regions produce appellations such as Barolo, Barbaresco, and Brunello di Montalcino, and are held in high esteem by wine aficionados around the world. Some of the most famous wine producing regions in the world are:

Lazio

This region is known widely for its white wines, which are produced primarily with Malvasia and Trebbiano grapes. 

Tuscany and Umbria

One of the most scenic areas in the world, the backdrop of films and subject of countless landscapes, Tuscany and Umbria are two of the best wine producing regions in the world. Tuscany is one of the world’s leading exporters of chianti, while Ovrieto and Torgiano are produced by Umbria.

Lombardy

The Po Valley of Lombardy produces some of the most desirable wine in the world, and this is due both to the attention to quality by winemakers within the region and the quality of the grapes, which benefit from a rich, fertile soil. A wide variety of wine comes from this area, from dry reds to sparkling whites. 

Sicily

The first region in Italy to be introduced to winemaking, Sicily boasts countless vineyards producing, among many other varieties, Marsala wine. The hot climate of the region, along with the volcanic soil, has produced wine for local patrons and English royalty for centuries.

• Wine Growing in Piedmont – A personal account of a trip through Italian wine country.
• Viniculture and Regional Identity – This person argues that wine is more indicative of lifestyle than food is.
• Viniculture in Ancient Rome – See how viniculture has evolved over the centuries.

Grape Varieties

The Italian Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MIRAF) has given authorized status to over 350 grapes with which Italians make wines, though over 500 more varieties have been documented as well. Some of the most common varieties of wine are as follows.

Bianco (White)

Garganega – A variety of grape which makes Soave, a dry white wine of the Veneto wine region.

Pinot Grigio – Produces wine of the same name and has become one of the most popular grape varieties around the world, as the wine it produces is at once crisp and clean. 

Trebbiano – The most widely planted white grape in Italy, this grape makes a pale, popular wine of the same name.

Rosso (Red)

Sangiovese – This list could begin and end with sangiovese, as it is perhaps the most famous variety of grape in all of Italy. Among the many varieties of wines the grape produces is Chianti, a wine with a huge following around the world.

Corvina – This grape makes such famous wines as Valpolicella and Amarone. These fruity wines are gaining in popularity.

Nebbiolo – This grape is particularly difficult to grow, but the wine it produces has made the cultivation of the nebbiolo grape a lucrative venture. It produces Barolo and Barbaresco, with the former considered by many to be the best wine produced in Italy.

• The Best Wine-Growing Regions – The names of the regions which produce the best wine in Italy.
• Pinot Grigio – Learn what makes this wine the most popular white wine in America.
• Italian Wine List – A list and description of the wines Italy produces.
• National Grape Registry – A complete list of grapevine varieties around the world.
• Wine Making – A resource on the process of making wine.
• 12 Impressive Reds from Italy – A dozen of the best red wines to come out of Italy.
• Viticulture Publications – Some of the most trusted publications in this combination art form and science.