Introduction to Italian wines and grapes |
| Italy grows more than thousand varieties of grapes, international and native ones, with some of them only planted in very small areas and with a very limited wine production and therefore only available to the locals. Wines as we all know, can be made by a single grape or a blend of different grapes, and with such a variety we can easily imagine how many wines can be made without considering the wine making process. Italian wines are an endless story.
This Italian wine and grape guide has been thought to offer you an introduction, an insight, into Italian wines & grapes highlighting the most important native grapes, as well as a selection of Italian wines that many drinkers enjoy without knowing the grapes used in making them. This guide should be seen as the starting point, your first point of reference when wanting to know more about Italian wines and grapes and does not pretend to answer all your questions about Italian wines. The first thing to say about Italian wines is that the appellation system divides the wines into 4 different categories, DOCG, DOC, IGT and vino da tavola in this order. Except for the vino da tavola (table wine) where any grape from anywhere in Italy of any quality can be used, for the wines in the other categories, the law specifies the characteristics of the grapes used in making the wine (eg. maximum yield, origin) and or the wine making process (eg. minimum ageing, grapes allowed), however, a DOCG wine does not mean a better wine that an IGT, it simply means that the wine is made following a different wine making process. A good wine can only be made if the grapes are good and the wine maker knows its job, if any of the two is missing, the wine is not going to be any good not even if it has the DOCG label. |
Pinot Bianco |
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| The Pinot Bianco, cousin of the Pinot Noir, is found mostly in the north of Italy, particularly in the North East with the Friuli and Alto Adige regions with the highest density.
The grape produces light-bodied white wines, with flavours recalling crisp pears and green apples. |
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Fiano |
| This grape variety, grown mostly in the Campania region, but now being planted in many other southern Italian regions, produces full bodied, floral white wines with fruity flavours. Within the region of Campania, where the best are wines are made, there are sub areas produces wines with different characteristics.
Amongst the Fiano wines, the most important are the Fiano di Avellino and the Fiano Beneventano capable of ageing and producing outstanding wines. |
Garganega |
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The Garganega, grown in Veneto, is mainly used in making the Soave and its passito, the Recioto di Soave . The garganega used to make the Soave and the Recioto di Soave comes from vineyards around the town of Soave and the grapes coming from vineyards surrounding the town can be called Soave Classico. Soave is now undergoing a renaissance. Wines made with Garganega are a bit more than light bodied, with fruits scents and an almond finish and can produce outstanding wines. |
Trebbiano |
| The Trebbiano is the most planted white grape variety in Italy that produces poor and good wines. The Trebbiano grape, to make good wines, needs to be grown carefully and unfortunately this is not always the case.
The Trebbiano has several clones, including the Trebbiano Toscano and the Trebbiano d’Abruzzo and it is often used in the making of several classic Italian white wines such as the Trebbiano d’Abruzzo vinified on its own, or the Frascati together with other grapes. |
Orvieto |
| L’Orvieto is a wine produced in an area that crosses the regions of Latium and Umbria, and take its name from the Umbrian town of Orvieto. Different grapes can be used in making the wine, but the mainly are Trebbiano toscano, Verdello, Grechetto, Canaiolo bianco e Malvasia toscana.
The Orvieto wines can be divided into “Classico”, from grapes grown in the historical part of the area, and the "Abboccato" or ”Amabile”, depending on the quantity of residual sugar in the wine, that is obtained stopping the fermentation before it is completed. |
Verdicchio |
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| The Verdicchio grape gives its best in the Marche, on the Adriatic Coast, and there are only two denominations, DOC, within it, the Castello di Jesi and Matelica.
The Verdicchio is renowned for making medium body wines, with crisp acidity and aromas of lemon. |
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