Italy: Take a tour of the top regions in this wine paradise

Read time 5 Mins

Posted 23 Mar 2023

By
Amelia Ball

Step into Italy as we break down five of this ancient winemaking country’s finest regions and the wines (and wineries) you need to know.

Italy isn’t known as an old-world winemaking country for nothing – the Italians have been growing and making quality drops for around 4,000 years. We can thank the ancient Greeks for introducing wine grapes to Italy, but, as it happens, Italians had a knack for viticulture and wine production. As a result, they quickly staked their place as a leading global wine producer, and they still hold this position today.

Diversity is one of Italy’s biggest drawcards when it comes to wine. More than 400 grape varieties are grown across the country’s 20 wine regions, from the alps in the north to Sicily’s heel in the south. And when you consider the central role of food in Italian culture, it’s no surprise this nation’s wines are about as versatile – and delicious – as it gets. From whites to reds, fresh to bold, quaffers to blow-the-budget, Italy does it all extremely well.

Like many European countries, Italy’s wines are bound up in seemingly complex rules, appellations and acronyms that appear on labels. So, if you’re not sure where to start, we’re here to help. Below, we run through five of Italy’s best-loved regions, what they do best and a few wines to seek out for an armchair tour and tasting of this spectacular country.

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In the north of Italy, Piedmont is one of the country’s most coveted wine regions. Its stunning hilly landscape famously produces Barolo and Barbaresco – revered red wines made from the nebbiolo grape that are named for their place of origin. As the region’s hero variety, nebbiolo is a compelling red that’s high in tannin and renowned for its distinctive flavours of tar and roses. Together with barbera, these reds tend to hog the limelight in Piedmont, but fresh, aromatic whites also shine here, including sweet, spritzy moscato. If top Barolo and Barbaresco are beyond your budget, look for ‘Langhe’ on labels – these nebbiolos are typically more approachable in style as well as price.

Key subregions: Canavese, Colline Novaresi, Coste della Sesia, Langhe, and Monferrato
Top red grapes: Nebbiolo, barbera, dolcetto, brachetto
Top white grapes: Cortese, arneis, moscato bianco
Must-visit wineries: Michele Chiarlo, Rivetto, Rizieri
Wines to try: Rizieri Arneis, Chiarlo Nizza Barbera, Rizieri Nebbiolo, and Rivetto Barolo

Puglia

With its outrageously beautiful coastline, architecture and towns, Puglia is fast becoming one of Italy’s most popular spots. Add to this setting its excellent value-for-money wines, and you have a star region (it’s also known for crunchy bread snacks, mini pizzas and orecchiette pasta, if you need more convincing). Negroamaro and primitivo, AKA zinfandel, are two key red varieties, with the latter producing a darker, richer wine, while negroamaro tends to show red and blue fruits, spice and a medium body. Both are brilliant with food. Most Puglian wines are red, but fiano is among this south-eastern region’s great whites, as well as other quality styles and varieties.

Key subregions: High Murgia, Lower Murgia, Itria Valley, Messapia, Salento
Top red grapes: Negromaro, primitivo, sangiovese
Top white grapes: Fiano, bombino bianco, trebbiano
Must-visit wineries: Cantele, Terre di San Vito
Wines to try: Monte dei Cocci Fiano and Notte Rossa Bascia

Sicily

If you’ve seen season two of The White Lotus, you’ll have a pretty good idea of Sicily’s appeal (minus the scheming, dysfunctional characters). This large southern island, which grows more than 60 native varieties, sits in the Mediterranean, but sparkling seas and rugged mountains are just part of its charm. For anyone who appreciates complex, yet lighter red wines, here lie some of Italy’s most exciting styles. Two significant red varieties are medium-bodied nero d’Avola and pinot-esque nerello mascalese (it loves Mt Etna’s volcanic soils), while whites include lesser-known grillo, catarratto and carricante, which tend to produce vibrant wines. For approachable, affordable, downright delicious wines, Sicily is a region to watch.

Key appellations: Sicilia DOC, Etna DOC, Marsala DOC, Noto DOC, Sciacca DOC, Siracusa DOC
Top red grapes: Nero d’Avola, nerello mascalese, frappato
Top white grapes: Grillo, cataratto, carricante
Must-visit wineries: Carranco, Tentua Regaleali
Wines to try: Tasca Regaleali Grillo and Carranco Etna Rosso villa dei Baroni

Tuscany

One of Italy’s most esteemed wine regions, Tuscany is also among its most beautiful – the rolling hills, vineyards, olive groves and villas are straight out of an Italian travel brochure. With a rich history and culture, this central region also has some of Italy’s most-visited sites, Michelangelo’s Statue of David included. As the home of sangiovese, Tuscany is celebrated for its Chianti wines, which can be straight varietal or sangiovese-dominant blends, as well as Super Tuscans that blend sangiovese with non-indigenous grapes such as cabernet and shiraz. These reds might get the glory, but don’t miss its underrated whites – Vernacchia di San Gimignano is a great place to start.

Key subregions: Brunello di Montalcino, Carmignano, Chianti, Bolgheri, Vernaccia di San Gimignano, Vino Nobile di Montepulciano
Top red grapes: Sangiovese, canaiolo, colorino, cabernet sauvignon, merlot
Top white grapes: Trebbiano, vernacchia, malvasia
Must-visit wineries: Frescobaldi, Carpineto
Wines to try: Abbazia Vernaccia di San Gimignano, Frescobaldi Nippozzano and Carpineto Rosso di Montalcino

Veneto

The Veneto’s no slouch as a destination – its attractions include Venice’s famed canals, historic palaces and cathedrals, and Romeo and Juliet’s old ’hood of Verona. This north-eastern region’s wine credentials are just as solid, producing bright whites, fruit-forward reds, prosecco and that unique big red, amarone. Many varieties thrive in this region, with distinct areas turning out some very different styles. Soave, made from garganega, is one of the Veneto’s biggest stars, but reds are also much-loved here, most commonly blends of corvina, corvinone, rondinella and molinara. These varieties may sound unfamiliar, but pinot fans should beeline for Bardolino reds, and other diverse blends will be right at home served with a range of meals.

Key subregions: Bardolino, Lugana, Piave, Soave, Treviso (home to prosecco), Vicenza, Venice, Verona, Valpolicella
Top red grapes: Corvina, rondinella, molinara, corvinone
Top white grapes: Garganega, glera, verdicchio, pinot bianco
Must-visit wineries: Sartori di Verona, Pieropan
Wines to try: Sartori Soave and Zi'Ronda Amarone