Fine wine often brings to mind images of French rolling hills and elegant dinners; however, Italy’s twenty regions bring to the pallet an array of fine wines for your dining pleasure.
Italian wine making enjoys tradition rich in both modern and rustic methods, although much of the country’s wineries now employ scientific and technological tools to create quality wines. The country’s wines are made primarily from two types of grapes, Nebbiolo and Sangiovese. The Nebbiolo grapes are used in the northwester part of the country, creating the red wines Barolo and Barbaresco. The Sangiovese grapes create one of the better-known Italian wines, Chianti, and are native to the central Tuscany and Umbria regions.
Italy’s wines are divided into four categories based on origin, quality, and purity. When shopping for a fine Italian wine, look for those with the designation of “Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita D.O.C.G.,” which is awarded to wines with a solid reputation. This designation considers region, production yields, and a DOC of at least five years. DOC indicates the origins of a wine, the type of grapes used in making...