Italian wine types: The perfect overview of the most popular Italian wines
Without a doubt, Italy ranks among the top and most popular wine nations. But which types of wine can you find in Italy, which Italian grape varieties are the most favoured, and what makes Italian wines so special?
This article provides you with a compact yet comprehensive overview. We will focus on the truly typical Italian wines, knowing that high-quality internationally recognized grape varieties are also cultivated and produced here.
Let’s get started.
Content:
- What does ‘Italian wine types‘ mean?
- Famous Italian grape varieties
- Regional specialities: Popular Italian wines from different regions
- Unique Italian wine specialities
What does ‘Italian wine types’ mean?
Before we dive into the various Italian wine types, a bit of structural work is needed. What may sound simple at first is quite complex.
There are different types of Italian wine varieties.
- Italian grape varieties that are only or predominantly cultivated in Italy, this includes all autochthonous grape varieties.
- Italian wines that are produced in specific regions but may also include international grape varieties (means de facto all wines with a protected designation of origin). In our blog Classification of wines from Italy you can find all the details for the various quality and origin designations
- Italian wines that are characterised by special production processes.
Many Italian wines fall into two or even all three of these categories. However, it is particularly important for specialised retailers to be able distinguish clearly whether a wine variety refers to a grape variety or a wine name. After all, these terms are not always identical.
Famous Italian grape varieties
To avoid any confusion between wine names and grape varieties, we will start our overview with the most important Italian grape varieties.
And as Italy is particularly well-known for its full-bodied red wines, we will start by looking at the most famous Italian red wine grape varieties.
Well-known red grape varieties from Italy
Sangiovese
Sangiovese is one of the most important grape varieties grown in Italy. It forms the basis for many famous red wines and is one of the most harvested grapes in terms of quantity.
Sangiovese is characterised by its bright red colour. Due to the rather late harvest, the grapes develop an intense fruity flavour. Young wines are characterised by a particularly floral structure, while more mature wines stand out for their depth and character.
Sangiovese is often vinified as a single varietal – e.g. Brunello di Montalcino from Tuscany. Brunello is one of the most famous red wine varieties in Italy. Our Brunello from the La Palazzetta winery even has organic quality.
La Palazzetta
Other wines that consist mainly or entirely of Sangiovese are for example: Chianti, Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, Morellino di Scansano.
Montepuliciano
Montepulciano, next to Sangiovese, is one of the most widely cultivated grape varieties in central Italy. In Abruzzo, over 50% of the cultivated area is planted with Montepulciano. The grape variety is characterised by intense aromas of red fruits and spices. Montepulciano d’Abruzzo is a DOC wine, means a red wine with a protected designation of origin. We offer the Montepulciano d’Abruzzo DOP from Teatro Latino in our range.
Primitivo
The grape variety Primitivo thrives best in its home region of Puglia. The red wine with the same name enjoys great popularity thanks to its soft, fruity and very intense flavour. The warmth and sunshine of southern Italy’s Puglia region are expressed particularly well in this wine. By the way, this grape is known as ‘Zinfandel’ overseas. Recommend our Teatro Latino Primitivo Puglia IGP or the Mescà Puglia IGP blend to your customers – these wines bring sunshine, warmth and cosiness into the home.
Barbera
Barbera is at home in Piedmont but is also cultivated in other regions of Italy. The grape variety develops intense flavours of plums and other red fruits and is mostly used in high-quality red wines.
Discover our Barbera wines, especially the famous Barbera d’Alba Superiore DOC – Vigna Boschi from the Dante Rivetti winery.
Nebbiolo
The Nebbiolo grape hides behind many famous names such as Barolo or Barbaresco. It is demanding in terms of location and soil. Wines made from the Nebbiolo grape need to mature for a long time and are also among the best wines for ageing. The name Nebbiolo actually comes from the word ‘nebbia’ – fog – and refers to the slightly white coating that forms on fully ripe berries. On the other hand, the grapes ripen very late, and the harvest often takes place in the fog. We recommend the Nebbiolo Langhe DOC from Dante Rivetti.
Well-known white grape varieties from Italy
Of course, there are also delicious white wines in Italy.
Trebbiano
Trebbiano is a grape variety originating from Italy. It comes in numerous varieties, as Trebbiano is an entire grape variety family, as you can read in our blog post Trebbiano Wine: Celebrations and Conviviality. However, it is not only popular in Italy, but also in France.
Accordingly, Trebbiano is diverse and versatile, often enjoyed as a festive wine and in social gatherings.
Trebbiano d’Abruzzo – which we have in our Teatro Latino programme for you – tastes particularly flowery and fruity.
There are also many white wines in which Trebbiano is blended with other white grape varieties, e.g. Custoza.
Another famous Trebbiano is Trebbiano di Lugana, also known simply as Lugana, e.g. our Lugana DOC from the Bennati winery – a fruity treat from Lake Garda.
Pinot Bianco and Pinot Grigio
Pinot Bianco and Pinot Grigio – or Pinot Blanc and Pinot Gris – are also among the popular white grape varieties grown in Italy. However, they do not originally come from Italy, but from Burgundy. Nevertheless, they are often associated with Italian white wines.
The grapes are grown in various regions of Italy. For example, our range includes Pinot Bianco and Pinot Grigio from Veneto.
A special highlight is the Pisoni sparkling wine TrentoDOC Pinot Bianco from Trentino where the grape fully reveals its fascinating floral and fruity notes.
Glera: The Prosecco grape
Since we are on the topic of sparkling wine, we must of course mention an Italian celebrity – Prosecco, or more precisely, the Glera grape. This white grape variety is primarily used to produce Prosecco and has become famous as a result. In combination with the gentle perlage of a good Prosecco, the Glera grape unfolds its fruity and flowery flavours.
Are you interested in our unique Prosecco?
Get in touch with us now for a complimentary consultation!
Regional specialities: Popular Italian wines from different regions
In addition to the special grape varieties, there are many well-known and popular wines from Italy. These wines are usually tied to their region of origin, making them more recognizable than the grape varieties used to produce them.
These include:
Wines from Veneto
Veneto is not only a holiday destination but also a real wine paradise. Many famous Italian wine varieties can be found here.
Valpolicella
Valpolicella is the red wine celebrity from Veneto. As this Italian wine variety is so well known, we have dedicated a separate article to it: Valpolicella Classico and surroundings: everything you need to know about this wine region and its products. There you will find more details about the Valpolicella DOC region.
The red wines under the name Valpolicella are traditionally made from the grape varieties Corvina, Rondinella and Molinara. They are characterised by their freshness and fruitiness and are usually drunk young. Some special red wine specialities are based on Valpolicella and will be discussed in more detail later in this article.
Bardolino
Bardolino Classico DOC also comes from Veneto and is produced from the same grape varieties as Valpolicella but is grown on the hills around Lake Garda – the Bardolino region. It is a lighter red wine that is often drunk young and is characterised by its fruity, floral aromas.
This red wine is particularly suitable for larger social events and also serves as a light everyday red.
Bardolino is also available in a fresh rosé version, e.g. the Chiaretto di Bardolino DOC from Bennati or the Chiaretto Bardolino DOP from Teatro Latino.
Soave
Soave Classico DOC is a white wine made from at least 70% Garganega grapes. The well-known Italian white wine variety is at home in Veneto, where it enjoys DOC or even DOCG status as Superiore – meaning protected and guaranteed origin.
Discover the fresh, floral aromas of our Soave DOC or the Soave Classico DOC – Libet both from the Bennati winery – lovely and balanced, as the name ‘Soave’ suggests (soave means sweet, gentle).
Another famous white wine from Veneto, to which we have also dedicated a separate blog post, is Custoza. The name of this DOC white wine is not derived from a specific grape variety but refers to the town of Custoza near Lake Garda. In this diverse white wine, with balanced minerality and aromatics, the following grape varieties may be used in different combinations according to the law:
- Trebbiano toscano
- Garganega
- Trebbianello
- Bianca Fernanda
- Malvasia
- Riesling Italico
- Pinot bianco
- Chardonnay
- Manzoni bianco
Get to know the high-quality Custoza DOC from the Bennati winery or the party-friendly Custoza DOP from Teatro Latino, available in a convenient 1-liter bottle.
Wines from Piedmont
Of course, there are always overlaps between regions and grape varieties – such as Barbera (e.g. the Barbera – Piemonte DOC) which we’ve already highlighted among the Italian grape varieties.
Therefore, we would like to focus here on wines that are not famous primarily for their grape variety.
Barolo
One wine that has its protected origin in Piedmont is Barolo. It is one of the most precious Italian wines, as it produces relatively low yields. The name Barolo comes from the town of the same name in Piedmont, and Barolo wine is made from 100% Nebbiolo grapes. With its strong acidity and tannins, Barolo is a red wine that can be stored very well for a long time.
The long ageing period ensures that the pronounced aromas of red berries, warm spices and a hint of jam combine harmoniously with velvety tannins – such as in our Barolo DOCG – Léglise from the Dante Rivetti winery.
Barbaresco
Barbaresco DOCG wines are only produced in Piedmont in the authorised protected areas of origin. The main cultivation area is around the municipalities of Barbaresco, Neive, Treiso and Alba. Barbaresco is made from the Nebbiolo grape and is characterised by complex and intense aromas.
Our premium Barbaresco from the Dante Rivietti winery Barbaresco Riserva DOCG – Bricco di Neive is only produced in the best vintages. The classic Barbaresco DOCG – Bric’Micca is also a must-have in any selection of Italian wines.
Wines from the Langhe region
The Langhe wine-growing region in Piedmont produces a variety of aromatic red wines, rosé wines and white wines in its enchanting landscape and excellent DOC and DOCG areas. We have dedicated a separate blog article to this region with more detailed information: Langhe wines: A fertile wine region.
Unique Italian wine specialities
Finally, we would like to talk about some Italian wine specialities that are characterised by unique production methods.
Amarone: The king of Italian red wines
The absolute pinnacle of Italian red wines is certainly Amarone. It is made from red grapes dried in small crates. Traditionally, this process was used to produce sweet wines such as Recioto (see below).
However, Amarone matures until fermentation is complete, resulting in a heavy, very complex and flavourful, fruity and dry red wine. Discover our two Amarone specialities from the Bennati winery – the Amarone della Valpolicella DOCG and the Amarone della Valpolicella DOCG – Cerasum Riserva di Famiglia which is only made from the best vintages.
Ripasso: The little brother of Amarone
The Ripasso has a certain affinity with the Amarone. The Valpolicella wine undergoes a second fermentation on the Amarone grape pomace, allowing it to absorb the intense aromas of the Amarone. This process creates a full-bodied, fruity Valpolicella – such as the Ripasso Valpolicella Superiore DOC – La Mora.
Recioto: A special sweet wine
Italy is also renowned for its sweet wine specialties.
Recioto – a Venetian specialty from Verona – is known as a festive wine. Sweet and fruity, made from semi-dried grapes, this wine is particularly rich in aroma without tasting overly sugary – such as the Recioto di Soave Spumante DOCG – 1870.
Equally recommended is the red version made from the Valpolicella grapes Corvina, Rondinella, and Molinara: the Recioto della Valpolicella DOCG – 1870 is a delicious, fruity, and intense dessert and festive wine.
Lambrusco
Lambrusco, for example, native to Lombardy, is also one of Italy’s famous wine specialties. It is characterized by a gentle sweetness and fine bubbles. With its fruity aromas, it’s an ideal wine for summer parties and belongs in every Italian wine selection. We offer you the Lambrusco Mantova IGT from Bennati.
Now you have a solid overview of the key wine varieties in Italy from the perspective of grape varieties and regions. If you would like to learn more about the individual wine regions, visit our ‘Italian Wine Regions‘ page – here you will find all the regions from which we currently offer wines.
And if you have further questions or would like to start your order now, please contact us here:
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