Wines of Italy
Italy grows wine in every one of its 20 regions and has hundreds of native grape varieties. From Alpine whites to sun-baked southern reds, Italian wines are made to accompany food, with bright acidity as a common thread.
Main wine regions
- 1
Piedmont
Nebbiolo, Barbera, Dolcetto, Moscato
Foggy hills of the Langhe produce Barolo and Barbaresco, plus sweet, gently sparkling Moscato d'Asti.
- 2
Alto Adige & Trentino
Pinot Grigio, Gewürztraminer, Lagrein
Alpine vineyards with crisp, aromatic whites and German-influenced culture.
- 3
Veneto
Corvina (Amarone, Valpolicella), Glera (Prosecco), Garganega (Soave)
Italy's biggest producer: Prosecco, Soave and the rich, dried-grape Amarone della Valpolicella.
- 4
Friuli
Friulano, Pinot Grigio, Sauvignon Blanc
Italy's white-wine specialist, bordering Slovenia.
- 5
Tuscany
Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot
Chianti Classico, Brunello di Montalcino and the coastal Super Tuscans of Bolgheri.
- 6
Abruzzo
Montepulciano, Trebbiano
Generous, good-value Montepulciano d'Abruzzo.
- 7
Campania
Aglianico, Fiano, Greco
Volcanic soils near Naples; Taurasi is the ‘Barolo of the South’.
- 8
Puglia
Primitivo, Negroamaro
The heel of Italy: warm, ripe reds such as Primitivo di Manduria.
- 9
Sicily
Nero d'Avola, Nerello Mascalese, Grillo
From sunny Nero d'Avola to elegant reds and whites grown on the slopes of Mount Etna.
- 10
Sardinia
Cannonau (Grenache), Vermentino
Island wines with Spanish influence.
Key grapes
Reading the label
DOCG is the top category (e.g. Barolo, Chianti Classico), followed by DOC and IGT. ‘Classico’ means the historic heart of a zone; ‘Riserva’ means longer ageing.
Put it into practice
Our Wine Tasting Sheet guides you through appearance, nose, palate, quality and readiness — with hints in brackets so you always find the right word. Fill it in on screen or print it.