Italy

Italy is a wine-producing country.

The signature grape is Sangiovese, backed by Nebbiolo, Barbera, Primitivo and Pinot Grigio, plus two more.

The ground underneath is clay, limestone and volcanic.

The climate is varied.

The vineyards themselves read as coastal, hills and plains.

Red wine, white wine and sparkling wine, plus two more is what the region is known for, and in the glass it shows rich and structured, crisp and aromatic, fresh and effervescent and citrus and floral characteristics.

Labels here fall under the DOCG, the DOC and the IGT.

Inside it sit Tuscany, Piedmont, Veneto, Sicily and Alto Adige.

Names to look for on a shelf: Biondi Santi, Gaja, Giacomo Conterno and Marchesi Antinori.

At the table these bottles work with pasta, pizza, seafood and grilled meats.

Serve chilled.

Rewards decades in the cellar.

In the glass.

Red: Rich and structured.

White: Crisp and aromatic.

Sparkling: Fresh and effervescent, Citrus and floral characteristics.

Grapes planted here.

Classifications.

• DOCG
• DOC
• IGT

Producers worth knowing.

Bottles to look for.

• Bartolo Mascarello Barolo DOCG, Piedmont, Italy
• Bibi Graetz Testamatta Toscana IGT, Tuscany, Italy
• Biondi Santi Tenuta Greppo Brunello di Montalcino DOCG, Tuscany, Italy
• Biondi Santi Tenuta Greppo Riserva, Brunello di Montalcino DOCG, Italy
• Casanova di Neri Tenuta Nuova, Brunello di Montalcino DOCG, Italy
• Case Basse di Gianfranco Soldera Toscana IGT - Brunello di Montalcino DOCG, Tuscany, Italy
• Fontodi Flaccianello della Pieve Colli della Toscana Centrale IGT, Tuscany, Italy
• G. B. Burlotto Barolo Monvigliero, Barolo DOCG, Italy

At the table.

• pasta
• pizza
• seafood
• grilled meats
• cheese

Serving and cellaring.

• Serve chilled.
• Rewards decades in the cellar.

Inside the region.

Nearby regions.

Italy: common questions

More from here: every wine region in Italy.