Italy can seem wonderfully complicated when you first start exploring its wines.
There are countless regions, grape varieties and appellations, but that's also what makes Italian wine so fascinating. You don't need to know everything. Start with a few regions, discover the styles you enjoy, and build your knowledge from there.
Northern Italy Northern Italy is home to some of the country's most famous wine regions.
Piedmont is renowned for elegant, structured reds, particularly wines made from Nebbiolo, as well as fresh and aromatic styles.
Veneto offers an incredibly broad range of wines, including the famous sparkling wines of the region and a variety of approachable reds and whites.
Central Italy Central Italy is particularly important for lovers of Tuscan wine.
Tuscany is synonymous with Sangiovese and is home to some of Italy's best-known wine styles. Tuscan reds can work beautifully alongside food, making them ideal companions for pasta, roasted meats and mature cheeses.
Southern Italy
Further south, you'll find warmer climates and distinctive native grape varieties.
Regions such as Puglia, Campania and Sicily offer wines with plenty of personality, from rich reds to refreshing whites. Sicily in particular has become an exciting region for wine lovers looking for something different.
Where Should You Start?
If you're new to Italian wine, don't try to learn everything at once. Instead, choose a region and explore it. Try two or three different bottles and compare them. Think about what you smell, what you taste and, most importantly, what you enjoy. There are no wrong answers when it comes to personal taste.
Let Us Help
Choosing Italian wine should be an adventure, not an exam. If you're unsure where to begin, speak to the team at Italia Wine Cellars. Tell us what wines you normally enjoy and what you're eating, and we can help point you towards something you'll love.
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