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Italy is a land of unparalleled vinous wonders, boasting an impressive production of wine that would take decades to sample entirely. It is the largest wine producer in the world, with over 700 thousand hectares dedicated to vineyard cultivation and in 2018, Italy accounted for 19 percent of global production, surpassing both Spain and France.
Despite Italy having all the cards to play a significant role in the world of exceptional wine, it has lived in the shadow of France for centuries. This was largely due to it not being explored as widely and hence, many of the country’s gems were not exported. However, Italy’s rich viticultural heritage, lofty sedimentary, calcareous and volcanic soils, and noble autochthonous grapes that each bring their unique terroir to life, are receiving long-overdue recognition.
Thanks to hundreds of native grape varieties, Italy’s vinous diversity is vast. Wine in Italy is more than just a drink; it’s a visual, aromatic, and culinary experience that’s best shared with fantastic food. Whether pairing a hearty wild boar ragu with Chianti, enjoying Brunello with a Fiorentine steak, or savouring Barolo and white truffles, Italy’s wine and cuisine are a match made in heaven. Italy is an exciting country that continues to tantalize wine lovers’ taste buds the world over.
Italy has a long-standing tradition of winemaking that goes back at least 4,000 years. From early civilizations working with wild grapes to the Greeks naming Italy “the land of wine” upon their arrival in the 8th century B.C., winemaking has been a part of Italian culture’s DNA. Remarkably, even in the Dark Ages and Middle Ages, European monks and the Catholic Church upheld the tradition. During the Roman era, Italy became the centre of the wine trade, influencing wine cultures worldwide. By the 16th century, Chianti had become one of the country’s most iconic regions, while the 19th century saw Barolo and Marsala enjoying great recognition throughout Europe. The use of bottling and corks enabled Italian wines to be sold globally.
Prior to Italy coming together as a unified nation in 1861, various European factions occupied and controlled its different regions throughout much of its history; notably the Bourbons in the South, the Vatican in the Centre and the Austrians and French in the North. Because of this each of Italy’s regions has its very own unique history and wine culture and identity, to the point where some Italian grape varieties having multiple names depending on where in Italy you are. Today, Italian wines are some of the finest on the market and are highly coveted and sought after by wine connoisseurs worldwide. The introduction of the DOC and DOCG appellation system in the 1960s marked the countries modern quality renaissance and a new era in winemaking for Italy, with the first DOCG only being awarded in 1980.
Italy’s geography and climate make it an ideal location for winemaking and result in the country producing a tremendous variety of wines. The unique Italian geography, stretching from the north in the Alps to the south, not far from the shores of Africa, permits wine growing in various localities with different soil types, climate, and altitudes. Italy’s long peninsular shoreline also maintains a moderate climate for the huge number of wine regions along the coast.
The glory of Italian wines also lies in the incredible diversity of native grape varieties, which are grown nowhere else in the world. Among the over 350 native grape varieties documented in Italy, hundreds remain undiscovered. Italian winemakers are currently rediscovering almost-forgotten ancient grape varieties, preserving, and disseminating them to a global audience. As local varieties gain prominence among winemakers, the Italian palate flourishes with a newfound complexity and richness, alluring wine enthusiasts and experts alike. Italy’s diverse terroirs and plentiful grape varieties are so vast and captivating that one could easily dedicate a lifetime to exploring and studying them.
With twenty wine regions corresponding to each of its administrative regions, Italy offers a distinct and unique wine experience that’s sure to please every palate. Each region creates wine that often reflects and pair well with its local cuisine, and that is one of the factors that makes the wines so distinct.
The DOCG appellation wines can be found in fifteen different regions, but most are concentrated in Piedmont, Lombardy, Veneto, Tuscany and Abruzzo. Among these, some of the wine appellations acclaimed and sought after worldwide are Barolo, Barbaresco, and Brunello di Montalcino, which are colloquially known as the “Killer B’s”. Additionally, wines such as Amarone della Valpolicella, Prosecco di Conegliano-Valdobbiadene, Taurasi from Campania, Franciacorta sparkling wines from Lombardy, and evergreen wines like Chianti and Soave have all caught the attention of international markets.
The new wines from the Centre and South of Italy, including Verdicchio, Sagrantino, Primitivo, Nero D’Avola (with exquisite expressions crafted in and around Sicily) and more, are garnering accolades from wine specialists, making them a must-try. With exquisite white wines of Friuli-Venezia Giulia and stunning special sweet wines like Passitos and Moscatos, made in different regions, Italy’s wine culture is full of surprises, sensory experiences, and delights.
Italy established its wine classification system in 1963 to safeguard the quality of the country’s wine production, with various modifications since then. It currently comprises of five categories, the first 3 from lowest to highest are: generic wines (Vini), varietal wines (Vini varietali), IGT (Typical Geographical Indication). The top two categories with the strictest winemaking laws governing them belong under the umbrella of DOP wines (Protected Designation of Origin). The two DOP categories are DOC (Controlled Designation of Origin) and DOCG (Controlled and Guaranteed Designation of Origin).
Each category has specific regulations concerning production, labelling, ageing, and geographic constraints for grape cultivation. The higher the classification, the stricter the regulations. DOCG qualifies as the topmost classification, which has the highest standards of production, ageing, and quality; each wine must pass extensive analyses before commercialisation, including a tasting by a specialist committee. As of today, there are 74 DOCGs in Italy.
Within the umbrella DOP category also exists the labels of ‘Classico’, ‘Superiore’ and ‘Riserva’. Classico refers to a wine from the original historic centre of the region. Superiore wines are wines with a higher ABV than corresponding wines from the region, and which have stricter regulations on yields per hectare, often resulting in higher quality wine. Finally, ‘Riserva’ refers to a wine that has been aged for an extended period of time, the period of which changes depending on local DOP regulations.
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