WINE
Learn about Italian Wines!
This page is an essential guide to Italian Wines and collects all the articles about wines, appellations, and grape varieties. Italian Wines are classified into 526 Denominations, spread in 20 regions: 75 DOCGs, 333 DOCs, and 118 IGPs. Everybody has heard of Barolo, Brunello, Chianti, and Amarone. If you are an intermediate taster, you may know about Cortese, Vermentino, Aglianico, maybe Orvieto, and Verdicchio.
But who knows about Vitoska, Vespolina, Biancolella, and Tintilia? You will, if you want, by reading this guide.
Facts and figures
-- The Italian wine scene is composed of about 310,000 farms, an average of 2 hectares cultivated per farm, and just over 45,000 wine-making companies -- AGEA (Agency for Agriculture Subsidy) data: in 2015, 76% of the wineries produced less than 100 hectoliters of wine per year, 17% between 101 and 1,000 hectoliters, 5% between 1,001 and 10,000 hectoliters, and 1% between 10,001 and 100,000 hectoliters -- This confirms the tendency towards fragmentation and the prevalence of small and medium-sized entities -- The vast majority comes from the larger companies: in 2015, 77.5% was produced by companies that vinified more than 10,001 hectoliters per year -- Three fundamental categories: Family-run wineries, widespread in the areas with the greatest winemaking traditions; Cooperatives, that cover 60% of wine production in Italy; Large estates and industries, historic Tuscan, Venetian, and Piedmontese wine families, grown considerably through acquisitions and mergersThe Essential Guide to Italian Wines
You will see the most recent articles on the top of the page. However, you can find the topic that you would like to learn about by:
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IGP Narni
IGP Narni: This appellation from Umbria lies close to the city of Terni. Principal White Grape Varieties are Albana, Bellone, Biancame, Bombino Bianco, Chardonnay, Falanghina, Fiano, Friulano, Garganega, Gewürztraminer, Grechetto, Greco, Maceratino, Malvasia, Manzoni Bianco, Montonico Bianco, Moscato, Mostosa, Müller-Thurgau, Passerina, Pecorino, Pinot Bianco, Pinot Grigio, Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, Sylvaner Verde, Trebbiano, Verdello, Verdicchio, Vermentino, Vernaccia, Viognier, Welschriesling (Riesling Italico) Red Grapes are Aglianico, Aleatico, Alicante, Barbera, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Canaiolo Nero, Carignano, Cesanese, Ciliegiolo, Dolcetto, Gaglioppo, Gamay, Grechetto Rosso, Lacrima, Malbec, Malvasia Nera, Merlot, Montepulciano, Nero d’Avola (Calabrese), Pinot Nero, Primitivo, Rebo, Refosco, Sagrantino, Sangiovese, Syrah, Vernaccia Nera. Alcohol level is 10.0% for Bianco, Rosato, and Rosso; 11.0% for Novello; 15.0% potential for Passito We are working on this IGP Narni appellation description.Please come back soon.Send us an e-mail if you are looking for more info atcheers@drinkitalian.com In the meantime, if you are in the mood for a good book, you can try:– The Modern History of Italian Wine by Walter Filipputti– Hidden Gems of…
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IGP Cannara
IGP Cannara: This is an appellation for only red wines in the region of Umbria. Red Grape Varieties: Aglianico, Aleatico, Alicante, Barbera, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Canaiolo Nero, Carignano, Cesanese, Ciliegiolo, Dolcetto, Gaglioppo, Gamay, Grechetto Rosso, Lacrima, Malbec, Malvasia Nera, Merlot, Montepulciano, Nero d’Avola (Calabrese), Pinot Nero, Primitivo, Rebo, Refosco, Sagrantino, Sangiovese, Syrah, Vernaccia Nera.This appellation from Umbria lies close to the city of Bettona, Bevagna, and Cannara in the province of Perugia. Minimum alcohol level is 10.0% for Rosso; 15.0% potential for Passito We are working on this IGP Cannara appellation description.Please come back soon.Send us an e-mail if you are looking for more info atcheers@drinkitalian.com In the meantime, if you are in the mood for a good book, you can try:– The Modern History of Italian Wine by Walter Filipputti– Hidden Gems of Italy: An Insider’s Secret…
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IGP Bettona
IGP Bettona: This appellation from Umbria lies to Bettona in the province of Perugia.White Grape Varieties are Albana, Bellone, Biancame, Bombino Bianco, Chardonnay, Falanghina, Fiano, Friulano, Garganega, Gewürztraminer, Grechetto, Greco, Maceratino, Malvasia, Manzoni Bianco, Montonico Bianco, Moscato, Mostosa, Müller-Thurgau, Passerina, Pecorino, Pinot Bianco, Pinot Grigio, Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, Sylvaner Verde, Trebbiano, Verdello, Verdicchio, Vermentino, Vernaccia, Viognier, Welschriesling (Riesling Italico)Red Grape Varieties are Aglianico, Aleatico, Alicante, Barbera, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, CanaioloNero, Carignano, Cesanese, Ciliegiolo, Dolcetto, Gaglioppo, Gamay, Grechetto Rosso, Lacrima, Malbec, Malvasia Nera, Merlot, Montepulciano, Nero d’Avola (Calabrese), Pinot Nero, Primitivo, Rebo, Refosco, Sagrantino, Sangiovese, Syrah, Vernaccia Nera. The Minimum alcohol level is 10.0% for all wines except 11.0% for Novello We are working on this IGP Bettona appellation description.Please come back soon.Send us an e-mail if you are looking for more info atcheers@drinkitalian.com In the meantime, if you are in the mood for a good book, you can try:– The Modern History of Italian Wine by Walter Filipputti– Hidden Gems of Italy: An Insider’s Secret Formula To Find Top-Class Italian…
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IGP Allerona
IGP Allerona: This appellation from Umbria lies to Allerona, Castelgiorgio, and Castelviscardo in the province of Terni. White Graps are Albana, Bellone, Biancame, Bombino Bianco, Chardonnay, Falanghina, Fiano, Friulano, Garganega, Gewürztraminer, Grechetto, Greco, Maceratino, Malvasia, Manzoni Bianco, Montonico Bianco, Moscato, Mostosa, Müller-Thurgau, Passerina, Pecorino, Pinot Bianco, Pinot Grigio, Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, Sylvaner Verde, Trebbiano, Verdello, Verdicchio, Vermentino, Vernaccia, Viognier, Welschriesling (Riesling Italico). Principal Red Grape Varieties are Aglianico, Aleatico, Alicante, Barbera, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Canaiolo Nero, Carignano, Cesanese, Ciliegiolo, Dolcetto, Gaglioppo, Gamay, Grechetto Rosso, Lacrima, Malbec, Malvasia Nera, Merlot, Montepulciano, Nero d’Avola (Calabrese), Pinot Nero, Primitivo, Rebo, Refosco, Sagrantino, Sangiovese, Syrah, Vernaccia Nera. The Minimum alcohol level is 10.5% for Bianco and all frizzante wines; 11.0% for white varietals, Rosato, Rosso, and all Novello wines; 11.5% for rosato varietals; 12.0% for red varietals; 15.0% potential for Passito Gaglioppo GRAPE Gaglioppo is an ancient, indigenous varietal grown…
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Colli Perugini DOC
Colli Perugini DOC: It is a very interesting apellation from Umbria producing red, white, rose’, and sparkling wines. The White Grapes are Chardonnay, Grechetto, Pinot Bianco, Pinot Grigio, Trebbiano and Red Grape are Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinot Nero, Sangiovese. Minimum alcohol level is 11.0% for Bianco, Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio, Trebbiano, and Spumante; 11.5% for Grechetto, Rosato, Rosso, and Novello; 12.0% for red varietals; 13.0% for Vin Santo (16.0% potential) We are working on this Colli Perugini DOC appellation description.Please come back soon.Send us an e-mail if you are looking for more info atcheers@drinkitalian.com In the meantime, if you are in the mood for a good book, you can try:– The Modern History of Italian Wine by Walter Filipputti– Hidden Gems of…
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Colli Martani DOC
Colli Martani DOC: It is a appellation from Umbria producing red, white, rose’, and sparkling wines. White Grapes are Chardonnay, Grechetto, Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, Trebbiano and red Red are Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinot Nero, Sangiovese, Vernaccia Nera. Minimum alcohol level is 11.0% for Bianco, Trebbiano, Riesling, and Spumante; 11.5% for Chardonnay, Grechetto, Sauvignon Blanc, Rosso, and Sangiovese; 11.5% for Vernaccia (17.0% potential); 12.0% for Grechetto di Todi, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Merlot We are working on this Colli Martani DOC appellation description.Please come back soon.Send us an e-mail if you are looking for more info atcheers@drinkitalian.com In the meantime, if you are in the mood for a good book, you can try:– The Modern History of Italian Wine by Walter…
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Colli del Trasimeno / Trasimeno DOC
Colli del Trasimeno / Trasimeno DOC: It is a very interesting appellation from Umbria producing red, white, rose’, and sparkling wines. White Grapes are Chardonnay, Grechetto, Pinot Bianco, Pinot Grigio, Sauvignon Blanc, Trebbiano, Vermentino, Welschriesling (Riesling Italico) Red Grapes are Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Ciliegiolo, Gamay, Merlot, Pinot Nero, Sangiovese. The Minimum alcohol level is 10.5% for Bianco; 11.0% for Novello, Metodo Classico, and Rosato Metodo Classico; 11.5% for Bianco Scelto, Grechetto, Rosato, and Rosso; 12.5% for Rosso Scelto and red varietals; 13.0% for Riserva; 14.0% for Vin Santo (16.0% potential) We are working on this Colli del Trasimeno / Trasimeno DOC appellation description.Please come back soon.Send us an e-mail if you are looking for more info atcheers@drinkitalian.com In…
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Colli Altotiberini DOC
Colli Altotiberini DOC: It is a very interesting appellation from Umbria producing red, white, rose’, and sparkling wines.White Grapes are Grechetto, Pinot Bianco, Pinot Grigio, Trebbiano. Principal Red Grapes are Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinot Nero, Sangiovese. The Minimum alcohol level is 10.5% for Bianco; 11.0% for Trebbiano, Rosato, and Spumante; 11.5% for Grechetto, Rosso, Novello, and Superiore; 12.0% for red varietals; 12.5% for Rosso Riserva; 13.0% for red varietal riservas We are working on this Colli Altotiberini DOC appellation description.Please come back soon.Send us an e-mail if you are looking for more info atcheers@drinkitalian.com In the meantime, if you are in the mood for a good book, you can try:– The Modern…
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Assisi DOC
Assisi DOC: It is a very interesting appellation from Umbria producing red, white, rose’, wines. White Grapes are Grechetto, Trebbiano and Red are Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinot Nero, Sangiovese. Minimum alcohol level is 11.0% for Bianco, Rosato, and Novello; 11.5% for Grechetto; 12.0% for Rosso; 12.5% for red varietals; 13.0% for Riserva We are working on this Assisi DOC appellation description.Please come back soon.Send us an e-mail if you are looking for more info atcheers@drinkitalian.com In the meantime, if you are in the mood for a good book, you can try:– The Modern History of Italian Wine by Walter Filipputti– Hidden Gems of Italy: An Insider’s Secret Formula To Find Top-Class Italian Wines At Value Prices…
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Amelia DOC
Amelia DOC: It is a very interesting appellation from Umbria producing red, white, rose’, and dessert wines. White Grapes are Grechetto, Malvasia, Trebbianoand Red Grapes are Ciliegiolo, Merlot, Sangiovese. The Minimum alcohol level is 11.0% for Bianco, Rosato, Rosso, Merlot, and Novello; 11.5% for Grechetto and Malvasia; 12.0% for Ciliegiolo and Sangiovese; 12.5% for Riserva; 16.0% (potential) for Vin Santo and Vin Santo Occhio di Pernice We are working on this Amelia DOC appellation description.Please come back soon.Send us an e-mail if you are looking for more info atcheers@drinkitalian.com In the meantime, if you are in the mood for a good book, you can try:– The Modern History of Italian Wine by Walter Filipputti– Hidden Gems of…
