Italian wine ranks among the best in the world, and there’s no doubt that wine is a central tenet of Italian gastronomy. The country’s fertile land and ample strains of red and white grapes have given birth to a wide range of internationally-acclaimed wines with complex flavor profiles. From full-bodied reds, to dry whites, and sparkling wines, there’s something for everyone. Take a look below at five of Italy’s most famous and prestigious wines.
Barolo
Barolo is a red wine mainly produced in the northern Piedmont region. Often considered one of the best Italian wines, it is made from the Nebbiolo grape, a small, thin skinned red grape. The wine must be aged for at least 38 months, 18 of which must be aged in wooden barrels. The result is a full-bodied wine with a “tar and rose aroma,” and flavor profiles of truffles, dried fruits, eucalyptus, and chocolate.
Franciacorta
This sparkling wine, also known as Italian champagne, is produced in the province of Brescia, in the northern Lombardy region. It is made using the same method and grapes as Champagne, Pinot Blanc, and Pinot Noir. The maturation period lasts between 18 and 60 months, with a color that ranges from a yellow hay to vibrant gold.
Brunello di Montalcino
This red wine, produced in the hills surrounding the medieval Tuscan town of Montalcino, is one of Italy’s most famous and prestigious wines. Made from Brunello grapes, a strain of the Sangiovese grape, the full-bodied wine has a high alcohol percentage hovering around 14 and 15 percent. Tasting notes include black cherry, blackberry, leather, and chocolate.
Chianti Classico
The Chianti Classico is a ruby red wine produced in several provinces throughout Tuscany, including Arezzo, Florence, Pisa, Pistaoia, Prato, and Siena. The wine, 80 percent of which is made from Sangiovese grapes, must age for at least 12 months. It is medium-bodied and dry, with notes of cherry and earth.
Lambrusco
Lambrusco is a sparkling wine that hails from the Emilia-Romagna region. Depending on the kind of grapes used, the wine can range from dry to sweet, which can satisfy a wide range of palates. Overall, Lambrusco wines are strong in berry flavor profiles, such as blackberry, raspberry, and strawberry, as well as dark cherry.
Asia London Palomba
Asia London Palomba is a trilingual freelance journalist from Rome, Italy. In the past, her work on culture, travel, and history has been published in The Boston Globe, Atlas Obscura, The Christian Science Monitor, and Grub Street, New York Magazine's food section. In her free time, Asia enjoys traveling home to Italy to spend time with family and friends, drinking Hugo Spritzes, and making her nonna's homemade cavatelli.