Fine wine often brings to mind images of French rolling hills and
elegant dinners; however, Italy's twenty regions bring to the pallet an
array of fine wines for your dining pleasure.
Italian wine making enjoys tradition rich in both modern and rustic
methods, although much of the country's wineries now employ scientific
and technological tools to create quality wines. The country's wines
are made primarily from two types of grapes, Nebbiolo and Sangiovese.
The Nebbiolo grapes are used in the northwester part of the country,
creating the red wines Barolo and Barbaresco. The Sangiovese grapes
create one of the better-known Italian wines, Chianti, and are native
to the central Tuscany and Umbria regions.
Italy's wines are divided into four categories based on origin,
quality, and purity. When shopping for a fine Italian wine, look for
those with the designation of "Denominazione di Origine Controllata e
Garantita D.O.C.G.," which is awarded to wines with a solid reputation.
This designation considers region, production yields, and a DOC of at
least five years. DOC indicates the origins of a wine, the type of
grapes used in making the wine, and the methods of production. DOCG is
a designation following stricter guidelines than the DOC, which
includes a guarantee of origin.
The five regions of the Northwest produce over a quarter of the
country's DOC wines, but only about twenty percent of the country's
total wine production. This, then, is a good place to begin when
shopping for Italian wine, as many wine sellers group Italian wine by
the region, whether in general terms, such as Northwest, or by specific
region, such as Piedmont. The Piedmont region creates a number of DOC
and DOCG wines.
The Northeast region is home to two of Italy's wine schools, and
generates about a third of the country's DOC wines. The three regions
create about a fifth of Italy's total wine production. Veneto, one of
the regions, now produces the most wine of any region in the country.
Central Italy, comprised of six regions, accounts for about twenty
percent of both wine production and DOC wines. The tradition of wine
making in this region has often been traditional, the region is moving
toward more contemporary wine making methods, and the overall quality
has improved. Some wine experts believe that this region will continue
to make great strides in wine making, so for those who love red wine,
this is an area worth watching. Tuscany creates the well-known Chianti
wine, as well as a variety of other
Tuscan reds.
The Southern region, which includes the islands, is comprised of six
regions. These regions produce about forty percent of the total
production, but only about fourteen percent of DOC and DOCG wines. The
region is focusing on overall quality, and this, too, is a region worth
watching. For those interested in consistent quality wines, many of the
region's production offer just that.
For those new to Italian wine or wanting additional information, there
is an abundance of sources. An importer specializing in Italian wine is
one of the best sources for information on fine Italian wines, and can
provide suggestions based on your individual preferences. You can also
do your own research and wine tasting based on your style and
preference. As with many things Italian, the wines are among the finer
indulgences.
