According to numerous references, Italian wines take the lead for the most exported wines in the world. Therefore, it is naturally evident why Italy is the largest producer of wines on the international stage. Italy is the birthplace of the Roman culture that highly prized and popularized the art of winemaking. Today 700,000 hectares of land in Italy produce some of the world’s most loved wines.
A visit to the country makes you understand the importance of the wine sector there. Most Italian plains’ and hills’ sides are dotted with picturesque landscapes of vineyards. They will dazzle any visitor to the Bel Paese. Keeping that in mind, Italy has many regions and sub-regions that take winemaking seriously. As a result, many grape varieties exist which can produce different styles of wines ranging between young and aged red, rosé, white and sparkling varieties. Below we list the Most Famous Italian Wines.
1. Prosecco
World famous as a leading sparkling white wine from Italy. Many bubbly wine drinkers fall in love with Prosecco the moment they taste it. The wine has a subtle flavor combined with soft bubbles that can balance out any salty snack accompanying it. There are various types of Prosecco, however most of them are very pocket friendly and can set the mood for parties.
Normally Prosecco is a white sparkling wine, however recently a rosé type has been introduced and it is receiving a lot of success in national and international markets. Prosecco can be enjoyed well enough on its own. However, while sipping the soft tingly bubbles of the drink, maybe a salty snack like prosciutto, the Italian cured ham, will be a delight. Moreover, aged and savoury cheeses are also a great idea to match with Prosecco.
Best Wineries in Italy for Prosecco Experience
- Adami
Adami is located in the rural area of Treviso, this winery produces exceptional Prosecco for almost 100 years. Family traditions are very strong in the winery and grapes harvesting methods strictly adhere to hand picking like the old good days.
Location: Via Rovede, 27 – 31020 Colbertaldo di Vidor – Treviso, Italy
Further Information/Booking: welcome@adamispumanti.it or +39 0423 982110
- Borgoluce
When thinking of sustainable agriculture, this particular estate, Borgoluce comes to mind. The farm runs an efficient ecosystem that relies on sustainable energy forms to power the location. Borgoluce is quite integrated in its beautiful and lush landscape. The farm provides great Prosecco as well as some of the locally produced meats and cheese that pairs perfectly well with the drink.
Location: Località Musile, 2 – 31058 Susegana – Treviso, Italy
Further Information/Bookings: info@borgoluce.it or +39 0438 435287
- La Tordera
Focusing on healthy drinks and sanity, La Tordera’s mission is finding the tastier Prosecco that is best for our health. Hence, only the best of the best of the Glera grapes reach the winery’s facilities to produce the finest Prosecco for connoisseurs to enjoy.
Location: Via Alnè Bosco, 23, Vidor, 31020, Treviso, Italy
Further Information/Bookings: info@latordera.it or +39 0423 985362
2. Barolo
Often referred to as the king of wines and the wine of the kings, Barolo is a king in all realms. The grape variety is Nebbiolo and many speculations around its naming suggest that it derives from the Italian nomenclature: nebia for fog. Moreover, other hypothesis around the naming of the grapes state that the vineyards are normally surrounded by fog which gives them a cooling effect on scorching summer days.
Barolo wine’s special characteristics derive from Nebbiolo that is native to Piedmont, a region in the Northern Western part of Italy. This area in Italy borders France and Switzerland and it derives the best of these worlds combined together. Barolo is best paired with braised beef and truffle dishes. These foods are rich in protein structure that matches the profile of Barolo red wine and explodes its taste that has been waiting for multiple of years in aging.
Best Wineries in Italy for Barolo Experience
- Fratelli Serio & Battista Borgogno
Five generations took the current establishment of Fratelli Serio & Battista Borgogno to shape the ultimate offerings of this traditional winery since 1897. Cannubi, Piedmont is the location of the family business vineyards with over three hectares of planted vine trees yielding some of the best Barolo in the market.
Location: Via Crosia 12, Collina Cannubi, Barolo, Cuneo, 12060, Italy
Further Information/Booking: info@borgognoseriobattista.it | +39 0173 56107
- Grimaldi Luigino & C.S.N.C. – Winery
Accumulating knowledge of the viticulture and the best winemaking practices have led to the formation of the perfectly crafted wine of Grimaldi Luigino & C.S.N.C. – Winery.
Location: Via Groppone 1 Frazione Valle Talloria, Diano D’alba, Cn Piedmont, 12055, Italy
Further Information/Booking: info@grimaldivini.com | +39 0173 231790
3. Amarone della Valpolicella
When speaking of Amarone, the word “appassimento” comes to mind. This is a technique and not a grape variety that slowly dries the grapes and releases their favourite aromatic compounds while losing the excess water. Normally Amarone is the product of Corvina grape variety. Moreover, Rondinella is often used in conjunction with Corvina in producing this special wine with a minor quantity of Molinara.
The distinguishing feature of this wine is the slow method of pressing the partially dried grapes and the long lapses of time for the slow fermentation and aging of the Amarone wine. Normally, oak barrels are used to exchange flavours and aromatic compounds which are released into the wine. It is characterized by having a full body due to the loss of water and concentration of sugar and other compounds in the wine.
Normally the wine descriptive character involves profound flavours like dark chocolate, carob, cinnamon and dark cherry. The best food pairings are those of meaty and gamy aromas. Hence, duck, beef, lamb as well as liver (internal organs) pair well with this wine.
Best Wineries in Italy for Amarone Experience
- Bertani
Serving the best wines since 1857, Bertani possesses a very long period of establishing a profound link between the land, people and the wine. Once you visit Bertani website, it is evident how the winery prides itself with the long tradition of winemaking that the oenologists have perfected over the years.
Location: Via Asiago, 1, 37023 Grezzana VR
Further Information/Booking: bertani@bertani.net or 39 045 8658474
- Tommasi
Very popular on the international stage in the world of Amarone. Hence, if you have ever tasted their magical Amarone wines and would like to see the source of this inspiration then head to Tommasi winery facilities and see where the magic happens.
Location: via Ronchetto, 437029 Pedemonte – Verona
Further Information/Booking: wine@tommasi.com
4. Brunello di Montalcino
The province of Siena is the geographical spot where this marvelous Italian wine sleeps peacefully in the cellars of the winemakers. The gorgeous hilly town of Montalcino is the birthplace of the wine where it is dotted with Sangiovese grapes vineyards. The rules of cultivation are rather strict, and the vineyards can have a limited amount of trees so that the grapes aromatic profile will not be diluted.
Brunello is a DOCG wine and has to be made with only Sangiovese grape variety whose cultivation, pruning and harvesting have to follow firm viticulture rules. Moreover, the viniculture of the wine also adheres to specific rules. One of the them is aging for a minimum of 2 years in specific casks made of French oak. However, the aging of the wine does not finish upon bottling but another aging journey starts in the bottles themselves before being able to putting the them on the market.
Brunello pairs well with wild hare. The latter is a traditional dish in the same geographical region where the wine develops. Moreover, other game dishes pair perfectly well with this wine.
Best Wineries in Italy for Brunello di Montalcino Experience
- Fanti Tenuta San Filippo
Values of the winery are sustainability in all of its aspects. These are nature, people and sociocultural, Fanti Tenuta San Filippo is highly integrated with its nature and surroundings.
Location: Loc, Località Podere Palazzo, 14, 53024 Castelnuovo dell’Abate SI
Further Information/Booking: info@tenutafanti.it or +39 342 1711944 (Mobile)
5. Soave
The Garganega grape variety is the hero of the story for a sensational Soave wine. If you are into floral and fruity wines, then Soave, the Italian white wine is definitely your best choice. Soave is a dry white wine.
Dry means that the yeast has completely or almost fully transformed the sugars into alcohol in the wine. Hence, with less amounts of residual sugars in the wine, the sweetness tends to decline. However, keep in mind that other parameters like acidity, alcohol, tannins and others play a significant role in characterizing the flavor and aroma profile of the wine.
The white wine pairing idea always reminds us of fish and crustaceans. Hence, Soave is no different in this regard and it pairs equally well with cured hams like prosciutto. Also risotto dishes go hand in hand with the wine especially when infused with rich seafood flavours.
Best Wineries in Italy for Soave Experience
- Rocca Sveva
The locality of this winery transports you back in time to Medieval Europe. Rocca Sveva is an ancient village filled with mystery and excitement. Many legends were told there and some of which survive till our current day. You want to hear them yourself? Head to the winery and discover all the magic on your own.
Location: Via Covergnino, 7, 37038 Soave VR
Further Information/Booking: hospitality@cadis1898.it or +39 045 613 9845
