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:Â 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:
--> using the search tool --> using the tags: they are by region, by type, and by grape variety-
Menfi DOC
Menfi DOC: It is a very interesting apellation from Sicilia producing red, white, rose’, dessert and sparkling wines. White Grape are Ansonica, Catarratto, Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc, Damaschino, Fiano, Grecanico Dorato, Grillo, Pinot Grigio, Sauvignon Blanc, Vermentino, Viognier and Red are Aglianico, Alicante, Alicante Bouschet, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Frappato, Merlot, Nerello Mascalese, Nero d’Avola (Calabrese), Perricone, Petit Verdot, Pinot Nero, Syrah. The Minimum alcohol level is 10.5% for Sauvignon; 11.0% for Grecanico, Grecanico Spumante, Vendemmia Tardiva (15.0% potential), and Passito (16.0% potential); 11.5% for Bianco and all non-Superiore white varietals except Grecanico and Sauvignon, Rosato and rosato varietals, Rosso, and Rosso Riserva, and all spumanti except Grecanico and Rosato; 12.0% for Superiore, all red varietals, and all red riservas We are working on this Menfi DOC appellation description.Please come back soon.Send…
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Marsala DOC
Marsala DOC: It is a very interesting apellation from Sicilia producing only dessert wines. White Grapes are Ansonica, Catarratto, Damaschino, Grillo and Red are Nerello Mascalese, Nero d’Avola (Calabrese), Perricone. The composition is Ambra (WhFoSw): Any proportions of Ansonica (locally Inzolia), Catarratto, Damaschino, and/or Grillo; Oro (WhFoSw): Any proportions of Ansonica, Catarratto, Damaschino, and/or Grillo; Rubino (RdFoSw): Minimum 70% Nerello Mascalese, Nero d’Avola, and/or Perricone (locally Pignatello); maximum 30% Ansonica, Catarratto, Damaschino, and/or Grillo; Fine (Ambra, Oro, Rubino); Superiore or Vecchio (Ambra, Oro, Rubino); Superiore Riserva (Ambra, Oro, Rubino); Vergine or Soleras (Ambra, Oro, Rubino); Vergine Stravecchio or Riserva (Ambra, Oro, Rubino). Minimum alcohol level is 17.5% for Fine; 18.0% for all other styles We are…
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Mamertino di Milazzo / Mamertino DOC
Mamertino di Milazzo / Mamertino DOC: It is an apellation from Sicilia producing red, white, wines.White Grape Varieties are Ansonica, Catarratto, Grilloand Red is Nero d’Avola (Calabrese); Bianco (Wh): Minimum 45% Catarratto; minimum 35% Ansonica (locally Inzolia) and/or Grillo (minimum 10% each); maximum 20% OAWG; Ansonica-Grillo or Inzolia-Grillo (Wh): 50–80% Ansonica; 20–50% Grillo; Grillo-Ansonica or Grillo-Inzolia (Wh): 50–80% Grillo; 20–50% Ansonica;Riserva (Bianco; Wh, WhSw)Rosso (Rd): Minimum 60% Nero d’Avola; minimum 10% Nocera; maximum 30% OARG; Calabrese or Nero d’Avola (Rd): Minimum 85% Nero d’Avola (aka Calabrese) + OARG;Riserva (Rosso). The Minimum alcohol level is 11.0% for Ansonica-Grillo and Grillo-Ansonica; 11.5% for Bianco; 12.5% for Rosso and Calabrese/Nero d’Avola; 13.0% for Riserva We are…
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Malvasia delle Lipari DOC
Malvasia delle Lipari DOC: This is an appellation for only white wines in the region of Sicilia. White Grape is Malvasia. Bianco (WhSw): 92–95% Malvasia di Lipari; 5–8% Corinto Nero; Passito (WhSw): 92–95% Malvasia; 5–8% Corinto Nero; Liquoroso (WhFoSw): 92–95% Malvasia; 5–8% Corinto Nero. The Minimum alcohol level is 8.0% for Bianco (11.5% potential); approx. 15% for Passito (18.0% potential); 16.0% for Liquoroso (20.0% potential) We are working on this Malvasia delle Lipari 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…
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IGP Terre Siciliane
IGP Terre Siciliane: It is a very interesting apellation from Sicilia producing red, white, rose’, dessert and sparkling wines. White Grapes are Ansonica, Carricante, Catarratto, Chardonnay, Damaschino, Fiano, Gewürztraminer, Grecanico Dorato, Grillo, Malvasia, Manzoni Bianco, Montonico Bianco, Moscato, Müller-Thurgau, Pinot Bianco, Pinot Grigio, Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, Trebbiano, Vermentino, Vernaccia, Viognier, Zibibboand Red are Aglianico, Alicante, Ancellotta, Barbera, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Carignano, Ciliegiolo, Frappato, Gaglioppo, Malbec, Merlot, Montepulciano, Nerello Cappuccio, Nerello Mascalese, Nero d’Avola (Calabrese), Nocera, Perricone, Petit Verdot, Pinot Nero, Sangiovese, Syrah. Minimum alcohol level is 9.0% for all frizzante wines; 10.0% for Vendemmia Tardiva (13.0% potential); 10.5% for Bianco tranquillo, Rosato tranquillo, Spumante, and Rosato Spumante; 11.0% for Rosso tranquillo and Novello; 15.0% for Liquoroso; 16.0% potential for Passito We are working on this IGP Terre Siciliane appellation description.Please come back soon.Send us an e-mail if you are looking for more info atcheers@drinkitalian.com In the…
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IGP Salina
IGP Salina: It is an apellation from Sicilia producing red, white, rose’, wines. White Grapes are Ansonica, Carricante, Catarratto, Chardonnay, Damaschino, Fiano, Gewürztraminer, Grecanico Dorato, Grillo, Malvasia, Manzoni Bianco, Montonico Bianco, Moscato, Müller-Thurgau, Pinot Bianco, Pinot Grigio, Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, Trebbiano, Vermentino, Vernaccia, Viognier. Red Grapes are Aglianico, Alicante, Barbera, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Ciliegiolo, Frappato, Gaglioppo, Merlot, Montepulciano, Nerello Cappuccio, Nerello Mascalese, Nero d’Avola (Calabrese), Nocera, Perricone, Petit Verdot, Pinot Nero, Sangiovese, Syrah. This appellation from Sicilia lies anywhere in the Eolian Islands in the province of Messina. The Minimum alcohol level is 9.0% for all frizzante wines; 10.5% for Bianco, Rosato, and Rosso; 11.0% for Novello We are working on this IGP Salina 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,…
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IGP Salemi
IGP Salemi: This is an appellation for only white wines in the region of Sicilia. White Grape Varieties: Ansonica, Catarratto, Damaschino, Grecanico Dorato, Trebbiano. Bianco (Wh, WhFr, WhSw, WhFrSw): Any proportions of Ansonica, Catarratto, Damaschino, Grecanico Dorato, and/or Trebbiano;Varietals (Wh, WhFr, WhSw, WhFrSw): Minimum 85% Ansonica, Catarratto, Damaschino, or Grecanico Dorato + OANWG;Dual varietals (Wh, WhFr, WhSw, WhFrSw): 50–85% of first-named variety; 15–50% of other variety;Rosato (Ro, RoFr, RoSw, RoFrSw): Any proportions of red grape varieties approved for the region of Sicilia;Varietals (Ro, RoFr, RoSw, RoFrSw): Minimum 85% of any one of the allowed red grape varieties + OARG; Dual varietals (Ro, RoFr, RoSw, RoFrSw): 50–85% of first-named variety; 15–50% of…
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IGP Fontanarossa di Cerda
IGP Fontanarossa di Cerda: It is an apellation from Sicilia producing red, white, rose’, wines. White Grapes are Ansonica, Catarratto, Chardonnay, Trebbiano. Red Grapes are Cabernet Sauvignon, Nerello Mascalese, Nero d’Avola (Calabrese), Perricone. This appellation from Sicilia lies close to the city ofCerda in the province of Palermo .Minimum alcohol level is 9.0% for all frizzante wines; 10.5% for Bianco and Rosato; 11.0% for Novello; 11.5% for Rosso. We are working on this IGP Fontanarossa di Cerda 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…
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IGP Camarro
IGP Camarro: It is an apellation from Sicilia producing red, white, rose’, wines. White Grapes are Ansonica, Carricante, Catarratto, Chardonnay, Damaschino, Fiano, Gewürztraminer, Grecanico Dorato, Grillo, Malvasia, Manzoni Bianco, Montonico Bianco, Moscato, Müller-Thurgau, Pinot Bianco, Pinot Grigio, Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, Trebbiano, Vermentino, Vernaccia, Viognier, Zibibbo. Red Grapes are Aglianico, Alicante, Barbera, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Ciliegiolo, Frappato, Gaglioppo, Merlot, Montepulciano, Nerello Cappuccio, Nerello Mascalese, Nero d’Avola (Calabrese), Nocera, Perricone, Petit Verdot, Pinot Nero, Sangiovese, Syrah. The Minimum alcohol level is 9.0% for all frizzante wines; 10.5% for Bianco and Rosato; 11.0% for Rosso and Novello We are working on this IGP Camarro 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…
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IGP Avola
IGP Avola: It is an appellation from Sicilia producing red, white, rose’, wines.White Grapes are Ansonica, Carricante, Catarratto, Chardonnay, Damaschino, Fiano, Gewürztraminer, Grecanico Dorato, Grillo, Malvasia, Manzoni Bianco, Montonico Bianco, Moscato, Müller-Thurgau, Pinot Bianco, Pinot Grigio, Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, Trebbiano, Vermentino, Vernaccia, Viognier, Zibibbo Red Grapes are Aglianico, Alicante, Ancellotta, Barbera, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Carignano, Ciliegiolo, Frappato, Gaglioppo, Malbec, Merlot, Montepulciano, Nerello Cappuccio, Nerello Mascalese, Nero d’Avola (Calabrese), Nocera, Perricone, Petit Verdot, Pinot Nero, Sangiovese, Syrah. This appellation from Sicilia lies close to the city of Avola and Siracusa in the province of Siracusa. Minimum alcohol level is 11.0% for Bianco and Novello; 11.5% for Rosato; 12.0% for Rosso We are working on this IGP Avola 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…
