A beginner's guide to Italian wine

Abruzzo
Bordering Lazio on the Adriatic coast, Abruzzo is a mountainous region rich in ancient winemaking traditions. Abruzzo ranks fifth in production volume and is primarily known for the Montepulciano grape—not to be confused with the Tuscan region, which focuses on Sangiovese. Montepulciano d’Abruzzo DOC is the regional designation for red wines made from this grape, while Cerasuolo d’Abruzzo DOC is the designation for the region’s rosé wines made from the same variety. Trebbiano d’Abruzzo DOC is the region’s most important white grape variety.
Other varieties: Chardonnay, Cococciola, Passerina, Pecorino, Sangiovese

Apulia
This southern region has grown in popularity thanks to its good-value wines made from native grape varieties. The warm Mediterranean climate lends itself to ripe, fruity, robust red wines made from Primitivo (also known as Zinfandel) and Negroamaro.
Other varieties: Chardonnay, Bombino Bianco, Bombino Nero, Moscato, Nero di Troia, Susumaniello

Basilicata
Wine production in Basilicata, located in southern Italy, is minuscule compared to that of better-known regions. A largely landlocked, mountainous area tucked away in the curve of the boot, it is bordered by Campania to the west and Apulia to the east. Although it has few DOCs, the best-known is Aglianico del Vulture, made from the full-bodied black Aglianico grape.
Other varieties: Fiano, Greco Bianco, Malvasia Bianca, Moscato

Calabria
Calabria, located on the southwestern coast of Italy, juts out between the Ionian and Tyrrhenian Seas, separated from Sicily by the Strait of Messina. The wines reflect the coastal climate. Calabria is home to Cirò DOC, which primarily produces red wines made from the tannic Gaglioppo grape. A small quantity of white wines is produced from a blend of Greco Bianco and Montonico Bianco.
Other varieties: Nerello Cappuccio, Nerello Mascalese

Campania
Best known for Naples and the Amalfi Coast, Campania’s wines are gaining recognition, particularly as volcanic wines grow in popularity. For red wines, the best-known are Taurasi DOCG and Aglianico del Taburno DOCG, both made from the Aglianico red grape. For whites, Fiano di Avellino DOCG and Greco di Tufo DOCG are the most well-known, made from Fiano and Greco, respectively.
Other varieties: Caprettone, Falanghina, Piedirosso

Emilia-Romagna
Emilia-Romagnais considered the country’s culinary capital and is also a prolific wine-producing region. The region is best known for Lambrusco, a sparkling red wine. Trebbiano, a white grape variety, is the other star of the region.
Other varieties: Albana, Malvasia, Sangiovese

Friuli-Venezia Giulia
In the far northeastern corner bordering Austria and Slovenia, the landscape of Friuli stretches from the Alps to the coastal plains of the Adriatic Sea. The unique climate provides optimal conditions for a wide variety of white and red grapes.
More than 75% of production consists of white wine, primarily Pinot Grigio, Sauvignon Blanc, Ribolla Gialla, and Friulano. Red wines made from Merlot, Refosco, and Schioppettino are delicious, though less well-known.
Other varieties: Cabernet Franc, Chardonnay, Picolit, Verduzzo

Lazio
Laziois home to the capital city of Rome, but it also boasts a rich wine heritage. The region is known for its easy-drinking, youthful white wines. Although great wine is produced here, the best exports are dry and crisp styles of Frascati DOC and Orvieto DOC, which extend across the border into Umbria.
Other varieties: Cesanese, Merlot, Sangiovese

Liguria
Situated along the Mediterranean Sea between France and Tuscany, this small coastal region focuses largely on white wine. Dry white wines made from Vermentino and Pigato make up the majority of the region’s production. For reds, Rossese—found in the fruity, aromatic Dolceacqua DOC—is a well-known variety.
Other varieties: Ciliegiolo, Dolcetto, Sangiovese

Lombardy
Lombardy, located in northern central Italy, is home to some of the country’s most beautiful lakes. The cooling influence of the Alps makes it a sparkling wine paradise. Franciacorta DOCG, along Lake Iseo, is one of Italy’s most important metodo classico (traditional method) wines, made from Chardonnay, Pinot Bianco, and Pinot Nero. For red wines, Nebbiolo is the primary grape variety in Valtellina Rosso DOC, Valtellina Superiore DOCG, and Sforzato di Valtellina DOCG.
Other varieties: Barbera, Croatina

Marche
Marche, pronounced “mar-Kay,” is located along the east coast of central Italy. It is home to Rosso Cònero DOC, made from the black Montepulciano grape.
Other varieties: Passerina, Pecorino, Trebbiano

Molise
South of Abruzzo lies the small region of Molise, a mountainous area in southern central Italy. The region is best known for its Trebbiano and Montepulciano from the Biferno DOC.
Other varieties: Aglianico, Cabernet Sauvignon, Sangiovese, Tintilia

Piedmont
Piedmontis located in northwestern Italy, at the foot of the western Alps. Its climate is influenced by cool mountain peaks and the balmy Mediterranean Sea. This creates the perfect growing conditions for Nebbiolo, the red grape that produces the region’s most famous wines: Barolo DOCG and Barbaresco DOCG. Two other red grapes, Barbera and Dolcetto, are also known for their more accessible price and early drinkability.
White wines from Piedmont are less common, but don’t overlook the Cortese and Arneis grapes. The former is the sole grape variety in Gavi DOCG, while the latter thrives in Roero DOCG. Even casual wine enthusiasts are familiar with the gently sparkling and sweet Moscato d’Asti, produced in the Asti DOCG.
Other varieties: Brachetto, Freisa, Grignolino, Nascetta, Ruché, Timorasso, Vespolina

Sardinia
This Mediterranean island is better known for its beaches and Pecorino cheese than for wine, but more producers than ever are now exporting their wines. Wines to look for include Cannonau, the local name for Grenache, and Carignano or Carignan. Salty, floral Vermentino comes from the northeast.
Other varieties: Monica

Sicily
Asthe largest island in the Mediterranean, Sicily’s dry, warm climate and abundant sunshine are perfect for viticulture. There are fruity, medium-bodied red wines made from Nero d’Avola and juicy, peach-colored white wines made from Grillo, which are the most widely produced within the Sicilia DOC. In the south, Nero d’Avola is blended with Frappato to produce Cerasuolo di Vittoria DOCG. The red grape Nerello Mascalese and the white grape Carricante produce sought-after wines from the Etna DOC. Marsala DOC is the fortified wine from the west.
Other varieties: Catarratto, Inzolia

Tuscany
Tuscany is centrally located along the Tyrrhenian Sea on the west coast and extends inland across the rolling countryside. For red wines, the most famous Sangiovese-based wines are the Chianti, Chianti Classico, Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, and Brunello di Montalcino DOCGs. Many wines are labeled as Toscana IGT because they do not meet traditional production rules. These wines can be 100% Sangiovese or blends with international varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon or Syrah. For white wines, the best-known appellation is Vernaccia di San Gimignano DOCG.
Other varieties: Canaiolo Nero, Trebbiano, Vermentino

Trentino-Alto Adige
Trentino-Alto Adige, home to the spectacular Dolomites, is a blend of Italian and Austro-Hungarian influences. A unique selection of grape varieties ripens in this sunny, high-altitude region. For reds, Pinot Nero, Schiava, and Lagrein are well-known. For whites, it’s Pinot Grigio. Chardonnay is also popular, especially as the base for traditional sparkling wine from Trento DOC.
Other varieties: Gewürztraminer, Kerner, Müller-Thurgau, Pinot Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling, Teroldego

Umbria
This small region in central Italy, just east of Tuscany, is routinely overshadowed by its neighbor. But this hilly landscape, bordered by the snow-capped Apennines, produces tannic (age-worthy) reds from Sagrantino di Montefalco DOCG. Its white counterpart, Grechetto, is dry, crisp, and best enjoyed young.
Other varieties: Canaiolo, Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Trebbiano

Valle d’Aosta
Located on the northwestern border shared with France and Switzerland, this Alpine region does not produce much wine. The region’s primary focus is on red wines, and the main grape varieties are Nebbiolo and Pinot Nero, as well as the lesser-known Petit Rouge and Prié Blanc.
Other varieties: Fumin, Moscato, Petit Arvine

Veneto
Veneto, rich in history, beauty, and wine, offers a wide range of grape varieties and styles thanks to its numerous microclimates. It is bordered by the Alps to the north, Lake Garda to the west, and the Adriatic Sea to the southeast.
Although Veneto produces many legendary wines, it is the volume of Pinot Grigio and the demand for Prosecco that have made it famous. Great examples of the latter come from Conegliano Valdobbiadene DOCG and Cartizze DOCG. The red wines of Valpolicella DOC and Amarone della Valpolicella DOCG are both largely based on the black Corvina grape, as are the rosé and red wines of Bardolino DOC. East of Verona, Garganega is the primary white grape variety in Soave DOC, while Trebbiano dominates the white wines of Lugana DOC on the southern shores of Lake Garda.
Other varieties: Cabernet Franc, Corvinone, Merlot, Molinara, Rondinella

Source: WineEnthusiast