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-
IGP Puglia
IGP Puglia: White Grapes are Asprinio, Bianco di Alessano, Biancolella, Bombino Bianco, Chardonnay, Cococciola, Coda di Volpe, Falanghina, Fiano, Francavidda, Garganega, Gewürztraminer, Greco, Grillo, Impigno, Malvasia, Manzoni Bianco, Montonico Bianco, Moscato, Mostosa, Pinot Bianco, Pinot Grigio, Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, Sylvaner Verde, Trebbiano, Verdeca, Verdicchio, Vermentino, Welschriesling (Riesling Italico)and  Red Grapes are Aglianico, Aleatico, Barbera, Bombino Nero, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Greco Nero, Lacrima, Lambrusco, Malbec, Malvasia Nera, Merlot, Montepulciano, Negroamaro, Nero d’Avola (Calabrese), Ottavianello, Pampanuto, Petit Verdot, Piedirosso, Pinot Nero, Primitivo, Refosco, Sangiovese, Susumaniello, Syrah, Uva di Troia.The Minimum alcohol level is 9.5% for all frizzante and spumante wines; 10.0% for Bianco tranquillo, Rosato tranquillo, and Rosato Novello; 10.5% for Rosso tranquillo; 11.0% for Rosso Novello and all varietal Novello; 11.0% for da Uve Stramature and Passito (15.0% potential) The Minimum alcohol level is 9.5% for all frizzante and spumante wines; 10.0% for Bianco tranquillo, Rosato tranquillo, and Rosato Novello; 10.5% for Rosso tranquillo; 11.0% for Rosso…
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IGP Murgia
IGP Murgia: White Grape Varieties are Bianco di Alessano, Bombino Bianco, Chardonnay, Cococciola, Falanghina, Fiano, Garganega, Gewürztraminer, Greco, Grillo, Malvasia, Manzoni Bianco, Montonico Bianco, Moscato, Mostosa, Pinot Bianco, Pinot Grigio, Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, Sylvaner Verde, Trebbiano, Verdeca, Verdicchio, Vermentino, Welschriesling (Riesling Italico) and the principal Red Grapes are Aglianico, Aleatico, Barbera, Bombino Nero, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Greco Nero, Lacrima, Lambrusco, Malbec, Malvasia Nera, Merlot, Montepulciano, Negroamaro, Nero d’Avola (Calabrese), Ottavianello, Pampanuto, Petit Verdot, Piedirosso, Pinot Nero, Primitivo, Refosco, Sangiovese, Susumaniello, Syrah, Uva di Troia. The Zone of production is the Entire province of Bari and the communes of Andria, Barletta, Bisceglie, Canosa di Puglia, Minervino Murge, and Trani in…
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IGP Daunia
IGP Daunia:White Grapes are Bianco di Alessano, Biancolella, Bombino Bianco, Chardonnay, Cococciola, Coda di Volpe, Falanghina, Fiano, Garganega, Gewürztraminer, Greco, Malvasia, Manzoni Bianco, Montonico Bianco, Moscato, Mostosa, Pinot Bianco, Pinot Grigio, Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, S ylvaner Verde, Trebbiano, Verdeca, Verdicchio, Vermentino, Welschriesling (Riesling Italico)Red Grapes are Aglianico, Aleatico, Barbera, Bombino Nero, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Greco Nero, Lambrusco, Malbec, Malvasia Nera, Merlot, Montepulciano, Negroamaro, Nero d’Avola (Calabrese), Pampanuto, Petit Verdot, Piedirosso, Pinot Nero, Primitivo, Refosco, Sangiovese, Syrah, Uva di Troia The zone of production is Entire province of Foggia and the communes of Margherita di Savoia, San Ferdinando di Puglia, and Trinitapoli in the province of Barletta-Andria-Trani. The Minimum alcohol level is 9.5% for all frizzante and spumante wines (10.0% potential for Rosso frizzante); 10.5% for Bianco tranquillo;…
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Gravina DOC
Gravina DOC: White Grape are Greco, Malvasiaand Red Grapes are Montepulciano, PrimitivoBianco (Wh, WhSw): Minimum 50% Greco; minimum 20% Malvasia (Bianca or Bianca Lunga); maximum 30% Bianco di Alessano, Chardonnay, Fiano, and/or Verdeca; Rosato (Ro): Minimum 40% Montepulciano; minimum 20% Primitivo; maximum 30% Aglianico, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and/or Uva di Troia; Rosso (Rd): Minimum 40% Montepulciano; minimum 20% Primitivo; maximum 30% Aglianico, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and/or Uva di Troia; Spumante (WhSp): Minimum 50% Greco; minimum 20% Malvasia; maximum 30% Bianco di Alessano, Chardonnay, Fiano, and/or Verdeca; Passito (WhSw): 100% Malvasia. The Minimum alcohol level is 10.0% for Spumante; 11.0% for Bianco and Rosato; 11.5% for Rosso; 12.0% for Passito (15.0% potential) We are…
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Gioia del Colle DOC
Gioia del Colle DOC: White Grapes are Trebbiano and Red Grape are Aleatico, Malvasia Nera, Montepulciano, Negroamaro, Primitivo, SangioveseRosato (Ro): 50–60% Primitivo; 40–50% Malvasia Nera, Montepulciano, Negroamaro, and/or Sangiovese (maximum 10% Malvasia Nera); Rosso (Rd): 50–60% Primitivo; 40–50% Malvasia Nera, Montepulciano, Negroamaro, and/or Sangiovese (maximum 10% Malvasia Nera); Primitivo (Rd): 100% Primitivo; Riserva (Primitivo); Aleatico Dolce (RdSw): Minimum 85% Aleatico; maximum 15% Malvasia Nera, Negroamaro, and/or Primitivo; Aleatico Liquoroso Dolce (RdFoSw): Minimum 85% Aleatico; maximum 15% Malvasia Nera, Negroamaro, and/or Primitivo; Riserva (Aleatico) The Minimum alcohol level is 10.5% for Bianco; 11.0% for Rosato; 11.5% for Rosso; 13.0% for Primitivo; 13.0% for Aleatico Dolce (15.0% potential); 14.0% for Primitivo Riserva; 16.0% for Aleatico Liquoroso Dolce…
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Galatina DOC
Galatina DOC:Â White Grape is Chardonnay, Red Grape is NegroamaroBianco (Wh, WhFr): Minimum 55% Chardonnay + OANWG; Chardonnay (Wh, WhFr): Minimum 85% Chardonnay + OANWG; Rosato (Ro, RoFr): Minimum 65% Negroamaro + OANRG; Rosso (Rd): Minimum 65% Negroamaro + OANRG; Negroamaro (Rd): Minimum 85% Negroamaro + OANRG; Novello (Rosso); Riserva (Negroamaro) The Minimum alcohol level is 11.0% for Bianco and Chardonnay; 11.5% for Rosato; 12.0% for Rosso, Negroamaro, and Novello; 12.5% for Riserva We are working on this Galatina 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…
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Copertino DOC
Copertino DOC: Red Grape is NegroamaroRosato (Ro): Minimum 70% Negroamaro; maximum 30% Malvasia Nera, Montepulciano, and/or Sangiovese (maximum 15% Sangiovese); Rosso (Rd): Minimum 70% Negroamaro; maximum 30% Malvasia Nera, Montepulciano, and/or Sangiovese (maximum 15% Sangiovese); Riserva (Rosso) The Minimum alcohol level is 12.0% for Rosato and Rosso; 12.5% for Riserva We are working on this Copertino 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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Colline Joniche Tarantine DOC
Colline Joniche Tarantine DOC: White Grape are Chardonnay, VerdecaRed Grape are Cabernet Sauvignon, Primitivo- Bianco (Wh): Minimum 50% Chardonnay + OANWG; Verdeca (Wh): Minimum 85% Verdeca + OANWG; Rosato (Ro): Minimum 50% Cabernet Sauvignon + OANRG; Rosso (Rd): Minimum 50% Cabernet Sauvignon + OANRG; Primitivo (Rd, RdSw): Minimum 85% Primitivo + OANRG; Novello (Rosso); Superiore (Rosso, Primitivo); Superiore Riserva (Rosso, Primitivo); Spumante (WhSp): Minimum 50% Chardonnay + OANW; Liquoroso (RdFo): Minimum 85% Primitivo + OANRG; Liquoroso Dolce Naturale (RdFoSw): Minimum 85% Primitivo + OANRG The Minimum alcohol level is 11.0% for Verdeca and Spumante; 12.0% for Bianco; 12.5% for Rosato, Rosso, and Novello; 13.0% for Primitivo, Rosso Superiore, and Rosso Superiore…
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Castel del Monte Rosso Riserva DOCG
Castel del Monte Rosso Riserva DOCG: Red Grape is Uva di TroiaRiserva (Rd): Minimum 65% Uva di Troia (locally Nero di Troia) + OANRG; Minimum alcohol level is 13.0% We are working on this Castel del Monte Rosso Riserva DOCG 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 And Taste La Dolce Vita by Tony Margiotta Additionally, you can discover the other wines from Puglia.
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Castel del Monte Nero di Troia Riserva DOCG
Castel del Monte Nero di Troia Riserva DOCG: Red Grape is Uva di TroiaRiserva (Rd): Minimum 90% Uva di Troia + OANRG. The Minimum alcohol level: 13.0% We are working on this Castel del Monte Nero di Troia Riserva DOCG 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 And Taste La Dolce Vita by Tony Margiotta Additionally, you can discover the other wines from Puglia.
