Italian Wine Regions
With so many spectacular wine regions around the world, it is sometimes difficult to pick one.
Time and time again, Italy is at the very top for wine production. Italian wine regions have approximately 400 varieties of grapes native to the country, which ensures there is a wine to suit everyone. Italy also offers some of the best wine tasting experiences in the world.
With every trip we plan to Italy we dive deep to learn about the client’s wine preferences. Do you prefer reds or whites? If reds, do you like light reds or prefer bolder, bigger wines? This ensures that the wine region you are visiting offers the wines you love.
Below I am highlighting 3 of the major wine regions in Italy...
TUSCANY – one of the world’s most famous wine regions… rolling hills lined with vineyards and Cypress trees with farmhouses in the background… the views are magical in this region. You may not know there are three very distinct wine growing areas within Tuscany.
The Chianti region – This region lies mostly between the cities of Florence and Siena. Chianti wines are made mostly from Sangiovese grapes, only a small percentage of other varieties may be used. Chianti is typically considered a lighter wine, robust yet fruity in flavor.
The Brunello region – Brunello wines are made from 100% Sangiovese grapes. Brunello di Montalcino is a red Italian wine produced in the vineyards surrounding the town of Montalcino located south of Florence. Brunello wines are deep, robust red wines that are high in tannins, and considered the most expensive classic Tuscan wine.
The Super Tuscans – This is a local take on the classic Bordeaux blend of Cabernet, Merlot, Syrah, and Cab Franc. Bolgheri is the coastal region where Super Tuscan wines are produced, located to the west of Florence. The mixture of international grapes and local varieties along with the sea breezes allow for production of wonderful red blends.
PIEMONTE – This is among the world’s very finest wine regions. Located in northwest Italy, the region shares borders with France and Switzerland and is surrounded by mountains on three sides. The area is famous for its red wine production using the Nebbiolo grape. The two best known wines made from this grape are Barolo and Barbaresco. These wines are high in tannins which allow them to have an exceptional aging potential. A good vintage will be at its best between 10 and 30 years old, and many can go 40 years or more.
VENETO – The Veneto is a large wine region in the northeast of Italy, not far from Venice. While the region is very well known for its production of Prosecco, they also produce Amarone della Valpolicella and some white wines. The Corvina grape is used to produce the dense, rich red wine known as Amarone. The incredibly diverse terroir with volcanic soils, hilly and flat areas allow for the production of many different wine styles in this region… enjoy everything from sparkling wine, light and drinkable to full bodied and intense red wines.
So, which one of these wine regions are you looking forward to exploring? Do you have a group of friends or colleagues that may enjoy a wine themed trip to Italy? I would love to help handcraft your itinerary. Contact me to start planning!
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