Italian Wine
Italy – the home of Moscato, Chianti, Amarone and Prosecco – has a rich and diverse wine heritage dating back more than two thousand years. Famous for its bewildering diversity of both grape varieties and wine styles, Italy is also significant for the sheer volume of wine it produces: just over 40 million hL in 2012, from 800,000 ha of vineyards. It is rivaled in this regard only by France and Spain.
The Italian government's system of wine classification and labeling uses a four-tier quality hierarchy made up of more than 500 DOCG, DOC and IGT titles. See Italian Wine Labels.
(© Wine-Searcher) www.wine-searcher.com/regions-italy
Italy – the home of Moscato, Chianti, Amarone and Prosecco – has a rich and diverse wine heritage dating back more than two thousand years. Famous for its bewildering diversity of both grape varieties and wine styles, Italy is also significant for the sheer volume of wine it produces: just over 40 million hL in 2012, from 800,000 ha of vineyards. It is rivaled in this regard only by France and Spain.
The Italian government's system of wine classification and labeling uses a four-tier quality hierarchy made up of more than 500 DOCG, DOC and IGT titles. See Italian Wine Labels.
(© Wine-Searcher) www.wine-searcher.com/regions-italy
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Certified Wine types listed by Region
(abstact from (© Wine-Searcher) http://www.wine-searcher.com/regions-italy)
Abruzzo
Abruzzo is home to one DOCG – Montepulciano d'Abruzzo Colline Teramane – and three DOCs: the red and Cerasuolo Montepulciano d’Abruzzo and the white Trebbiano d’Abruzzo are the most noteable, followed by the lesser-known Controguerra. The star grape varieties of the area are the native red Montepulciano and white Trebbiano, with minor roles being played by a few international varieties such as Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, and natives such as Sangiovese, Passerina, Pecorino and Cococciola. The usual maturation process for Abruzzo wine is in oak. However, the Montepulciano Cerasuolo is aged in stainless steel. (© Wine-Searcher) |
Basilicata
While Aglianico is the ‘celebrity’ of the region, the huge range of ‘understudy’ varieties that for years seldom gained attention are now taking centre stage thanks to IGT regulations. There are some very pleasant examples of Moscato, and some superb Malvasia, the best of which come from the Vulture zone and the eastern Bradano Valley. Primitivo, Sangiovese and Montepulciano also do particularly well, as doesBombino Nero. The Aglianico grape is the star of the Aglianico del Vulture wine, but expands further afield to the plains of Matera where it is used in Vino da Tavola wines. (© Wine-Searcher) |
Calabria
Calabria’s oldest and most famous wine is Ciro, regrettably the only Calabrian wine to command great respect in the 20th and early 21st centuries. It remains the only significant reminder of Calabria's potential as a source of high-quality wine, particularly in its Ciro Rosso Riserva form. The only other Calabrian wine of any note is sweet, white Greco di Bianco, a dried-grape wine from Calabria's south-east coast. The wine world has remained largely oblivious to Calabria's other DOCs, although this may soon begin to change as attitudes evolve among consumers and, more importantly, the Italian wine authorities. Six of these lesser-known DOCs are found in the west of the region around the Crati River Valley, between Pollino in the north and Lamezia in the south. Just north-west of that area, the mountains are home to the notable white wines of Verbicaro, one of the wines most likely to help restore Calabrian wine's good reputation. Along the east coast between Ciro and Bianco are Bivongi, Melissa and the tiny coastal DOC of S.Anna di Isola di Capo. (© Wine-Searcher) |
Campania
Campania, like many Italian regions, is home an impressive array of grape varieties, some of which are found almost nowhere else on earth. Its most important variety is arguably Aglianico, the grape behind the region's two most famous and respected red wines: Taurasi and Aglianico del Taburno. Aglianico was introduced to the area by the Greeks and later cultivated by the Romans. Also vital to Campania's vineyards are the white-wine varieties Fiano and Greco, which are championed by the region's most respected white wines, Fiano di Avellino and Greco di Tufo. Another light-skinned grape of interest here is Falanghina. Alongside the more-important varieties mentioned above are a host of little-known gems. These include Biancolella and Forastera, which together form the backbone of the white wines of Ischia. Suppezza, Sabato and Sciascinoso (locally called Olivella because of its olive-shaped grapes, and used in blends to bring a hint of color and acidity to wine) also play their part, particularly in wines from the Sorrento Peninsula. Along the Amalfi coast, the aromatic and orange blossom-infused Ravello and Furore wines are distinctive for the inclusion of interesting local Fenile, Ripolo, Pepella and Ginestra grapes. In the Aversa plains, the Asprinio variety, producing a dry white or zesty sparkling wine, gives the DOC Asprinio di Aversa its name. Finally the Coda di Volpe vine, named for its resemblance to a fox's tail due to the way the grapes grow in long bunches, also plays a role alongside Verdeca, Greco di Bianca and Falanghina in the Lacryma Christi del Vesuvio whites. (© Wine-Searcher) |
Emilia Romagna
Today, about 15% of wine produced in Emilia-Romagna falls under the region's 20 or so DOC titles, and only a tiny fraction under its two DOCGs (Albana di Romagna and Colli Bolognesi Classico Pignoletto). This is much higher than Italy's prolific southern regions such as Puglia and Sicily, where that figure is closer to 4%, yet much lower than in Veneto, where 25% of all wine is DOC quality or higher. Emilia-Romagna's wine production is divided evenly between whites and reds, the dominant vine varieties being Malvasia and Lambrusco (both in their various forms), Trebbiano, Barbera, Bonarda and of courseSangiovese. A large percentage of these grapes are used to produce sparkling wines, either frizzante or spumante, of which the most notable are from the five Lambrusco DOCs: Salamino di Santa Croce, di Sorbara,Grasparossa di Castelvetra, Modena and Reggiano. Despite its wide portfolio of well-known Italian and international varieties (Chardonnay, Pinot Blanco and Cabernet Sauvignon are used both invarietal wines and blends), Emilia-Romagna’s uniqueness comes from its rare local DOC wines. Examples of this are red Cagnina di Romagna and white Pagadebit di Romagna. Albana di Romagna is a white, still Italian wine based principally on the Albana grape variety produced in Bologna, Forlì-Cesena and Ravenna. It was awarded Denominazione di Origine Controllata (DOC) status in 1967; it was promoted to the status of Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita (DOCG) in 1987. (© Wine-Searcher) |
Friuli-Venezia Giulia
Friuli's trump card is its mosaic of local grape varieties, although these are now increasingly being joined by international grapes such asChardonnay, Pinot Noir and even the Bordeaux stalwarts Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Merlot. Sparkling wines, generally made in the Charmat method, have started to emerge alongside the still wines, and the region is also responsible for a large quantity of Prosecco wine every year. The region is home to three DOCG titles, all for white wines. The Colli Orientali del Friuli Picolit and its Ramandolo enclave in the region's eastern hills produce sweet whites from Picolit and Verduzzo grapes. They were joined at this highest rank of Italian wine classification in December 2010 by the dry, Verduzzo-based wines of Lison. Complementing the three DOCGs are ten DOCs; Friuli-Grave is the most important in terms of quantities produced. This DOC covers a substantial portion of Friuli-Venezia Giulia, stretching from the Colli Orientali right to the border with Veneto. Its name is a reference to the gravels which characterize the land there, the result of many millennia of alpine erosion by the Tagliamento river. South of this lie the coastal DOCs Lison Pramaggiore, Friuli Latisana, Friuli Annia and Friuli Aquileia. Further east along the coast are Friuli Isonzo and the Colli Goriziano, covering the hills just south of the Colli Orientale. Italy's easternmost DOC, stretching around the Gulf of Trieste onto the very tip of the Balkan Peninsula, is Carso. This long, thin DOC is sandwiched tightly between the Adriatic coastline and the Slovenian border, stopping just short of the regional capital Trieste, less than 12 miles (20km) from Croatia. (© Wine-Searcher) |
Lazio
Lazio is home to roughly 30 DOC titles, representing a fine collection of wines in which three white DOCs stand out: Castelli Romani (the most important), Frascati (the more renowned and traditional) and Est! Est!! Est!!! di Montefiascone (lesser known on international markets). Other DOCs that have made a name for themselves are Orvieto (shared with Lazio's northeastern neighbor, Umbria) and Marino. A rare find also comes from around the Lago di Bolsena lake in the form of Aleatico di Gradoli, a sweet red which can also be transformed into a liquoroso. Cesanese is home to Lazio's only DOCG wine, made under the Cesanese del Piglio title. The hills just south of Rome, where Piglio is located, are also home to two other Cesaneses: di Olevano Romano and di Affile. Nevertheless its leading red is Velletri, a robust red wine made from Sangiovese, Cesanese, Montepulciano, Merlot and Ciliegiolo, which is also produced as a riserva. Some excellent vino da tavola is also being made, and Bordeaux kings Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot threaten to steal the show (in their own right as well as in conjunction with the local Cesanese). Falernum, once the great wine of ancient times, is today part of a more modern wine, based on Aglianico and native Cecubo with some local Abbuoto and Negroamaro. (© Wine-Searcher) |
Liguria
In the past the only DOC was Rossese di Dolceacqua (a soft, full-flavored red), but recently that number has swelled to eight. Colline di Levanto's white is similar to that of its fellow DOC Cinque Terre, distinguished by its lingering bouquet and its rosso starring Sangiovese and Ciliegiolo. Golfo del Tigullio lies between Genoa and Spezia and was awarded its status in 1997; this little-known area boasts an excellent passito and various wines using only Ligurian varieties, including Bianchetta Genovese. There is alsoColli di Luni (meaning hills of the moon), and Val Polcevera, whose hidden secret is the ancient Coronata variety, unique to Liguria and transformed into Rhine-style whites. The ancient red variety Ormeasco seems to beOrmeasco di Pornassio's saving grace – it is an early ripener, and premature autumnal frosts and the particularly steep mountainside vineyards (2625ft, or 800m) mean the area is not the most hospitable vine-growing environment. Last but not least is Riviera Ligure di Ponente, largest of the Ligurian crew, which is notable for its bianco (white) wines made from Pigato and Vermentino, and its rosso (red) crafted from Ormeasco and Rossese. Within this DOC there are sub-zones specializing in wines from Pigato, Rossese and Vermentino grapes, and the Riviera dei Fiori sub-zone is free to use all these varieties. There are also some rare gems created fromBuzzeto and Granaccia, and a Ligurian local, Lumassina. (© Wine-Searcher) |
Lombardia
A large and geographically complex region, Lombardy is well placed to offer a wide range of wine styles, and is home to five DOCG and 20 DOC titles. The Oltrepo Pavese zone stands out among these as one of the larger, better-known regions, not only for its sparkling Oltrepo Pavese Metodo Classico DOCG, but more recently for its Pinot Grigio, which since 2008 has had its own independent DOC (Oltrepo Pavese Pinot Grigio). Franciacorta, the second of Lombardy's two sparkling DOCG wines, is from the rapidly developing and well-regarded vineyards between Brescia and Lake Iseo. The remote, alpine Valtellina has two DOCG wines to its name: Valtellina Superiore and the distinctive, dried-grape amarone-style Sforzato di Valtellina, which are based on Chiavennasca, the Lombardian form of Piedmont's Nebbiolo. In the east, the western banks of Lake Garda generate distinctive Gardaand Lambrusco Mantovano wines, where the red wines are perceptibly influenced by Valpolicella's Rondinella grape. As is the case all over Italy, highly marketable 'international' varieties such as Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon are increasingly popular in eastern Lombardy, although white varieties Trebbiano and Garganega are holding their ground well (but at the expense of traditional, local varieties such as Schiava and Marzemino). South of Lake Garda is the Lugana DOC, a star wine boasting lively and crisp whites from Trebbiano di Lugana – a more 'noble' form of the Trebbiano grape, and one of very few Trebbiano wines to show any depth or complexity. A number of high-quality vino da tavola wines now come from the Garda area, made generally from such 'international' varieties as Merlot and Cabernet (known as the Bordeaux duo). These grapes are also found in the Bergamo heights of the pre-Alps in Valcepio, where they are toe-to-toe with France's two other most famous varieties, Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. At the southern end of the region, by the waters of the Po river, San Colombano is a home for traditional northern Italian red varieties, and uses Croatina, Barbera and Uva Rara for its rosso wine. (© Wine-Searcher) |
Marche
Marche’s winemaking heritage spans thousands of years and has been influenced, among others, by the Etruscans, Romans and Lombards. The presence of these various cultures goes a long way to explaining the breadth of vinicultural tradition and wine styles in the region. Marche has a number of terroirs that are extremely well suited to the cultivation of vines, particularly among the rolling coastal hills such as those around Ancona. Due to the influences of the Apennines, the Adriatic and the region's rivers (the Metauro, Potenza, Tronto and Nera), there are various climates at work in Marche, giving wine producers both warm and cool viticultural zones to utilise. Calcareous, clay and limestone-rich soils contribute to the distinctive terroir, and vary according to the region's distinctive topography. Marche's vineyards cover around 60,000 acres (25,000ha), and produce almost two million hectoliters of wine annually. The majority of this is sold as Vino di Tavola or under the Indicazione Geografica Tipica title IGT Marche. Only 20 percent is sold under the region's 15 DOC and four DOCG titles: far from the 40 percent achieved by the wines of the nation's top-quality region Piedmont, but significantly higher than is found in Sicily and Calabria, where the DOC wines make up just 5 percent of total production. Marche is best known as a white-wine region, although it is home to some reds of very high quality too. In terms of volume, the leading white varieties here are the ubiquitousTrebbiano (in various forms) and Verdicchio, the grape to which Marches has been a spiritual home for more than 600 years. The finest expressions of Verdicchio are found in the DOCGs Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi and Verdicchio di Matelica. These green-hued, refreshingly crisp, green-tinged white wines are characterized by lively acidity and subtle herbaceous undertones, and are an excellent food match for Brodetto di Pesce, a rich seafood stew made locally. Another notable white wine from Marche is Bianchello di Metauro, made from Bianchello (also known as Biancame) grapes grown around the Matauro river valley. Other widely planted white grapes include Pinot Bianco, Malvasia Toscana, Pecorino and Bianchello, the latter most famously used in Bianchello del Metauro. Among the red wines of Marche, the finest are generally made from Montepulcianoand/or Sangiovese, the dark-skinned varieties that dominate central Italian red and here make the intensely fragrant Rosso Conero Riserva. This duo is backed up by Ciliegiolo,Pinot Nero, Lacrima di Morro and notably Vernaccia Nera, the variety behind the sparkling DOCG wine Vernaccia di Serrapetrona. Supporting these fine reds are DOCs Rosso Conero (only the riserva can carry the DOCG status) and Rosso Piceno. These firm, tannic wines are unusual in the sea of Marche's white and lighter-hearted reds, and fly the flag for diversity in the region's wine production. Another pair of promising DOCs are Terreni di Sanseverino and Lacrima di Morro d'Alba, the latter a sweet red wine based on Lacrima di Morro, a variety peculiar to the commune of Morro d'Alba. The DOCs listed above specialize in wines of just one color, but the majority of Marche DOCs cover both red and white. Of note among these are Offida (where Pecorino is making its mark), those from the Colli Maceratesi hills, especially Maceratino, and Esinowith its top Verdicchio and Sangiovese-Montepulciano blends. (© Wine-Searcher) |
Molise Overshadowed by its neighbor Abruzzo, of which it was politically a part until 1963 (Abruzzi e Molise), Molise finally gained two of its own DOCs, Biferno and Pentro di Isernia, in the 1980s. Biferno wines are produced in the province of Campobasso and include reds, whites and roses. The white blends comprise mainlyTrebbiano Toscano supported by smaller portions of Bombino, while the reds lean towards Montepulciano combined with a littleAglianico and some Trebbiano Toscano. Pentro di Isernia also produces all three, although its red blend consists of a Montepulciano/Sangiovese mix. Biferno's wines differ slightly, displaying less acidityand more body because of its terroir: mountains give way to high plains that slope down towards the sea. In 1998, these two DOCs were joined by the newer Molise del Molise DOC, which encompasses the whole region and (unlike its counterparts) also makes sparkling spumante. Several grape varieties reign in this area, including Aglianico, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Falanghina, Montepulciano and the native Tintilia. Despite its small size – vineyards cover around 23,475 acres (9500ha) and production sits at only approximately 400,000 hL a year, of which only 2% is DOC – this region offers diverse topography. The hillside vineyards provide excellent exposure and plentiful sunshine where grapes can flourish. Most of the vines are found in the southern hills and valleys surrounded by the Matese and Mainarde ranges. The combination of morainic and calcareous soils, its location between the Apennines and Adriatic Sea, and the varied climates (maritime along the narrow coastal part, temperate in the upper valleys and continental further inland around the mountainous areas) provide a favorable terroir for the cultivation of vines. (© Wine-Searcher) |
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