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NORTH-EAST: TRENTINO-ALTO ADIGE, VENETO, FRIULI

The three regions of the North-East, also called “Triveneto”, are bordered by the enchanting Dolomiti Mountains of Unesco heritage in the north, by the Adriatic Sea in the south-east, and by Lake Garda and the Po River valley in the south/south- west. This variety of territory, from sea to high mountains, involves very different climate conditions allowing an important diversity of grape cultivation. This region is well known for its white still and sparkling wines, but elegant red wines also play an impressive role. The most relevant white wines produced in this area are the international white varieties Pinot Grigio, Sauvignon and Chardonnay, cultivated in all three regions. Over these, main variety of the area is Prosecco, cultivated on the characteristic hills of eastern Veneto, the historical summer home of the adjacent Venezia nobility. In Trentino Alto Adige region, at a more elevate altitude, found its perfect habitat the international Pinot Nero, supreme variety that here gives its maximum Italian expression as elegant red wine or as sharpen Spumante Metodo Classico (sparkling bottled-fermented), often blended with the local crispy and aromatic Chardonnay, under the appellation Trento DOC. In the western part of the Veneto region, around the city of Verona, Soave (white) and important reds including Amarone, Ripasso and Valpolicella are produced. The microclimate of Lake Garda area provides the conditions and give marked connotations to great a rosé, Chiaretto di Bardolino, and as Custoza and Lugana, fresh white wines of marked fruitiness and minerality.

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NORTH-WEST: PIEMONTE, LOMBARDIA, EMILIA ROMAGNA

Some of the most important Italian wines come from the sweet hills of Piemonte. The “king” Barolo and the “queen” Barbaresco predominate. These wines are produced from the Nebbiolo grape in two distinct areas of eleven municipalities (for Barolo) and four municipalities (for Barbaresco) in Cuneo Province, the southwestern part of the region, around the municipality of Alba (land of the famous white truffle). The grape Barbera, also very typical of the region, is produced in various areas of Piemonte including Asti province, Alba province and Monferrato, where it gets the homonym appellation. Albarossa is a curious native red variety combining the characteristics of Nebbiolo and Barbera. The most renowned white wine is certainly Gavi, produced from the Cortese grape, and the sweet sparkling Moscato d’Asti, obtained by a particular clone of Moscato called White Moscato, more elegant and fine compared to the more common Yellow Moscato. The white Arneis, typical of the Roero area located north of Alba commune, must be mentioned. This product is usually vinified as still wine and has recently become more popular. The main wines from Lombardia region are Lugana, produced around Lake Garda, Franciacorta DOCG a Metodo Classico (bottled-fermented) sparkling wine produced in a tiny area south of Lake Iseo, east of Milano, and Lambrusco, red grapes grown in Lombardy but mainly in the Emilia Romagna region.

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CENTRAL WEST: TOSCANA, UMBRIA, LAZIO

The western coast in central Italy, led by the Toscana region, is famous for its mature and rich red wines, thanks primarily to its warm climate. The principal grape variety cultivated in Toscana is Sangiovese, of different clones, that produce different wines according to the area where they are cultivated. Chianti, a fresh and easy drinking wine, is produced on the gentle hills around Florence. South of Siena, in the southern part of the Toscana region are two small adjoining zones where the noble Brunello di Montalcino and Vino Nobile di Montepulciano are produced. The Umbria region is mostly known as the region of Sagrantino. Historical area o production is around the municipality of Montefalco, south of Perugia.Here it gets the appellation Sagrantino di Montefalco DOCG. White wines are not widely produced in this part of Italy but two white wines stand out: Orvieto from Umbria and Frascati of the Lazio region.

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CENTER EAST: MARCHE, ABRUZZO, MOLISE

The eastern coast, in central Italy, has a very different climate than the western coast, as it benefits from the cool wind blowing from the Balkan Mountains that refreshes the vineyards at nighttime and provides optimal climate conditions to develop intense and pleasant aromas and a crispy character. Direct consequence of this particular climate are expressive white and vibrant red wines.
Specifically, Verdicchio is produced in the Marche region and Trebbiano, Pecorinoand Passerina mainly in the Abruzzo region. These are very fruity and mineral white wines.

The main red variety of this macro-region is Montepulciano. The wine receives theappellations “Montepulciano d’Abruzzo” when produced in the Abruzzo region and “Piceno” or “Conero” if produced within these two specific areas of the Marche region, were it is commonly blended with Sangiovese grape.

In addition, the rosé-winemaking of the Montepulciano grape, within the Abruzzo region, gives birth to the Cerasuolo d’Abruzzo.
Other native varieties very typical of these regions, such as the Lacrima di Morrod’Alba red grape, provide a discernable fruity and floral profile. Similarly, the white grape Cococciola, grown only in a little area of southern Abruzzo (Province of Chieti), originating an interesting fresh wine.

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SOUTH: PUGLIA, CAMPANIA, BASILICATA 

Southern Italy is an area of importance for its intense red wines, matured under the strong Mediterranean sun. The main variety of the Puglia region is Primitivo, followed by its brother Negroamaro. In the Campania and Basilicata regions, Aglianico is the main red grape, besides the white varieties Fiano and Greco. Aglianico grape is cultivated in Basilicata -a small region between Calabria and Puglia- under the appellation Aglianico del Vulture DOC, and in Campania region where it gets the appellation Taurasi DOCG.

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ISLANDS: SICILIA, SARDEGNA

The islands Sicilia and Sardegna, with their very particular soil and climate deriving from the combination of strong sun and constant sea breezes, offer some interesting native varieties, mostly cultivated with organic (biological) method. Sicily is the land of Nero d’Avola, a red variety, and the whites Grillo, Inzolia and Catarratto Beside these better-known wines, many other native grapes grow in Sicilia. Noteworthy is the red Nerello Mescalese, which gets its maximum expression on the slope of Etna vulcan, and the whites Frappato and Zibibbo, a clone of Moscato. Sardegna is mainly represented by the red grape Cannonau, originating a powerful red wine, and by Vermentino, a pleasant white wine with a marked minerality. Sardegna holds also a multitude of indigenous varieties, such as Bovale, Monica, Cagnulari, Nuragus amongst several others.