Italian Wines

Italy: Where Wine, Women and Song are More than Just a Phrase

Perhaps, of all the European countries, there is none that tickles the interest of any wine aficionado more than Italy. One mention of the word and you get visions of green rolling hills, peaceful country sides, and, of course, clusters of thick, juicy grapes growing in vineyards far as the eye could see. Of course, because of the differing climate and soil in each of the provinces in Italy, they produce different grapes, which, in turn, produce different kinds of wine. So, here is a small list of some of the best wines in Italy (which are labeled DOCG) and where to find them.

In the province of Abruzzo, their Montepulciano d'Abruzzo Colline Teramane is an intense ruby red with light violet accents and is dry and still. Take a sip, and in a pleasant contrast to its violent color, you will be treated to a soft and flavorful wine, with a slight tannic taste. It is highly recommended with boiled meats.

Pack your bags and head southwest, and you will find yourself in the province of Campania where the locals will be happy to supply you with a bottle of their finest Taurasi. This red wine is also intensely colored, but will acquire an orange overtone when aged. Your taste buds will feel the dryness, but will suddenly be overcome by the wine’s full-bodied, robust taste. Your nose won’t be left out as its aroma is quite strong and aromatic, so don’t forget to swirl it around the glass and take a sniff before taking a sip and taking a bite of the barbecue that is said to go well with it!

You can then hitch a ride and head north to the province of Emilia-Romagna, where you should head to your nearest winery and ask for a glass of Albana. This white wine brings to mind subtle wealth with its straw yellow color with golden accents. And as if to accent the richness of its color, the warm, sweet, and fruity taste of this dry wine becomes the perfect partner to any seafood served along with it.

Next, you can take a little trek, and head on West to the province of Friuli-Venezia Giula, where you can have a taste of their famed Ramandolo. This sweet still white wine will catch your attention with its straw yellow color and its green highlights. But don’t be put off by the color for the locals might get offended if you don’t try it with the fresh catch of the day of seafood where it is said to pair well.

Then you can backtrack a little and head to the province of Lombardy where they have two DOCG wines. The first is the Franciacorta, which is a very light and soft white wine - one you would miss out on if you didn’t take it with your cake or dessert! But if you’re craving for something more filling, then get a glass of their Valtellina Superiore, a red wine whose shades range from ruby red to maroon. This dry still wine has a strong and tannic taste, and is best suited for roasted meats and venison. So, for whatever part of the meal you crave, head on to Lombardy, and they have just the wine to pair with it!

If you’re getting a little sick traveling on land, then catch a boat and head out to the island of Sardinia. Here, they serve a dry still white wine whose shades can be either straw yellow or amber gold, depending on the type. The straw yellow is the regular wine. Its taste is aromatic and quite bitter, best when paired when seafood and white meat. The amber gold, on the other hand, is the liquoroso which is sweet and best with dessert. So when you order a meal, make sure to order the Vermentino di Gallura!

When you get enough of island hopping, go back inland and travel to Tuscany, perhaps one of the best known provinces in Italy, You’ll definitely be dumbfounded by the sheer number of DOCG Italian wines that they have there. You’ll probably want to stick with something familiar now, and here is where the Chianti comes in. Everywhere in the world, the very mention of this wine strikes visions of wealth and opulence, and here is why: Chianti is an intense ruby red wine whose taste is full and robust, but softens with age. Its aroma is reminiscent of violets and is also quite intense. This wine is among the most flexible and can go well with all meats and with spicy cheese.

So next time you’re craving for the “Fruits of the Gods”, head on down to Italy where every province is an adventure for you and your taste buds!

If you feel very thirsty all of a sudden we suggest you to buy Italian wine right now!