The region of Lazio, home to Rome, is one of Italy’s oldest wine-producing areas. While it might not be as internationally famous as Tuscany or Piedmont, Lazio offers unique wines and indigenous grape varieties that are important for students preparing for the WSET Level 2 Award in Wines.
In this blog, we’ll give you a concise and clear overview of Lazio’s wine regions, local grape varieties, and why this area matters in the context of wine education.
Where is Lazio?
Lazio is located in central Italy, stretching from the Apennine Mountains to the Tyrrhenian Sea. The climate is predominantly Mediterranean, with warm, dry summers and mild, wet winters—perfect for vine growing.
The region’s soils, often volcanic, add minerality and complexity to many wines, especially the whites grown in the hills surrounding Rome.
Key Wine Areas Around Rome
🍇 Frascati DOC
Lazio’s most famous wine region
Located southeast of Rome
Known for light, dry white wines
Frascati is made primarily from a blend of:
Malvasia (Aromatic, floral, soft)
Trebbiano (Neutral, high acidity, light body)
These wines are easy-drinking, fresh, and usually unoaked, making them ideal for aperitivo or pairing with seafood and Roman cuisine.
Important Grape Varieties in Lazio
Malvasia
Common in Lazio and central Italy
Aromatic white grape
Brings floral notes, soft texture, and moderate acidity
Often used in blends
Trebbiano (also known as Ugni Blanc)
One of Italy’s most widely planted white grapes
Known for high yields and light body
Brings crisp acidity and freshness to wines
Often blended with Malvasia in Lazio whites
Red Wines of Lazio
Though Lazio is better known for whites, it also produces some red wines:
Cesanese
Indigenous to Lazio
Produces medium-bodied reds with red cherry, herbs, and earthy notes
Becoming increasingly popular among modern winemakers
Montepulciano and Sangiovese
Grown in parts of northern and southern Lazio
Often used in regional IGT blends
Why Lazio Matters for WSET Level 2
For WSET Level 2 students, Lazio is important because it:
Highlights lesser-known but historic Italian wines
Offers examples of blended white wines made from local varieties
Helps students recognize regional label terms like Frascati DOC and Lazio IGT
It also teaches you how terroir—especially volcanic soil—affects wine character, a concept frequently referenced in wine education.
Lazio may be overlooked compared to other Italian wine regions, but for WSET Level 2 students, it offers valuable insights into Italian white wine production, blending practices, and regional diversity.
From sipping a chilled glass of Frascati in a Roman piazza to understanding volcanic soil’s role in wine, Lazio is a region that truly brings wine knowledge to life.
