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 Colli del Limbara
IGP Colli del Limbara:  White Grape are Ansonica, Arneis, Biancolella, Chardonnay, Cortese, Falanghina, Fiano, Forastera, Friulano, Garganega, Gewürztraminer, Greco, Malvasia, Manzoni Bianco, Moscato, Müller-Thurgau, Nasco, Nuragus, Pinot Bianco, Pinot Grigio, Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, Semidano, Sylvaner Verde, Torbato, Trebbiano, Verdicchio, Verduzzo, Vermentino, Vernaccia, Welschriesling (Riesling Italico)Red Grapes are Aglianico, Aleatico, Alicante, Ancellotta, Barbera, Bombino Nero, Bovale, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cagnulari, Canaiolo Nero, Cannonau, Carignano, Croatina, Dolcetto, Gaglioppo, Girò, Greco Nero, Malbec, Malvasia Nera, Marzemino, Merlot, Monica, Montepulciano, Nebbiolo, Nero d’Avola (Calabrese), Pinot Nero, Primitivo, Refosco, Sangiovese, Syrah, Tai Rosso, Teroldego. The Minimum alcohol level: 10.0% for Bianco; 10.5% for Rosato and all frizzante wines; 11.0% for Rosso and Novello We are working on this IGP Colli del Limbara 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 Barbagia
IGP Barbagia: White Grape are Ansonica, Arneis, Biancolella, Chardonnay, Cortese,Falanghina, Fiano, Forastera, Friulano, Garganega, Gewürztraminer, Greco, Malvasia, Manzoni Bianco, Moscato, Müller-Thurgau, Nasco, Nuragus, Pinot Bianco, Pinot Grigio, Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, Semidano, Sylvaner Verde, Torbato, Trebbiano, Verdicchio, Verduzzo, Vermentino, Vernaccia, Welschriesling (Riesling Italico) Red Grape are Aglianico, Aleatico, Alicante, Ancellotta, Barbera, Bombino Nero, Bovale, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cagnulari, Canaiolo Nero, Cannonau, Carignano, Croatina, Dolcetto, Gaglioppo, Girò, Greco Nero, Malbec, Malvasia Nera, Marzemino, Merlot, Monica, Montepulciano, Nebbiolo, Nero d’Avola (Calabrese), Pinot Nero, Primitivo, Refosco, Sangiovese, Syrah, Tai Rosso, Teroldego. The Minimum alcohol level is 10.0% for Bianco; 10.5% for Rosato and all frizzante wines; 11.0% for Rosso and Novello We are working on this IGP Barbagia 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…
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Girò di Cagliari DOC
Girò di Cagliari DOC: Red Grape is GiròWine Composition: Rosso (Rd, RdSw): Minimum 95% Girò + OARG, Liquoroso (RdFo, RdFoSw): Minimum 95% Girò + OARG, Riserva (Liquoroso) The Minimum alcohol level is 13.5% for Rosso; 17.5% for Liquoroso We are working on this Girò di Cagliari 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 And Taste La Dolce Vita by Tony Margiotta Additionally, you can discover the…
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Carignano del Sulcis DOC
Carignano del Sulcis DOC: Red Grape Varieties: CarignanoWine Composition: rosato wines is Rosato (Ro): Minimum 85% Carignano + OANRG. Red wines are Rosso (Rd): Minimum 85% Carignano + OANRG, Novello (Rosso), Superiore (Rosso), Riserva (Rosso). Dessert Passito (RdSw): Minimum 85% Carignano + OANRG Minimum alcohol level is 11.5% for Rosato and Novello; 12.0% for Rosso; 12.5% for Riserva; 13.0% for Superiore; 14.0% for Passito (16.0% potential) We are working on this Carignano del Sulcis 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…
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Cannonau di Sardegna DOC
Cannonau di Sardegna DOC:Â Red Grape Varieties:Â CannonauWine Composition: rosato wines is Rosato (Ro): Minimum 85% Cannonau + OANRG. Red wine Rosso (Rd): Minimum 85% Cannonau + OANRG, Classico (Rd): Minimum 90% Cannonau + OANRG. Dessert: Liquoroso (RdFo, RdFoSw): Minimum 85% Cannonau + OANRG- Passito (RdSw): Minimum 85% Cannonau + OANRG-Riserva (Rosso) Territories: Capo Ferrato, Jerzu, Oliena or Nepente di Oliena. Classico can be made only in the provinces of Nuoro and Ogliastra. Minimum alcohol level is 12.5% for Rosato and Rosso; 13.0% for Riserva; 13.0% for Passito (15.0% potential); 13.5% for Classico; 16.0% for Liquoroso dolce; 18.0% for Liquoroso secco We are working on this Cannonau di Sardegna DOC appellation description.Please…
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Campidano di Terralba / Terralba DOC
Campidano di Terralba / Terralba DOC:Red Grape is Bovale Wine Composition: Rosso (Rd): Minimum 85% Bovale (locally Bovale Sardo) and/or Bovale Grande (locally Bovale di Spagna) + OARG, Superiore (Rosso) and Riserva (Rosso) Minimum alcohol level is 12.0% for Rosso; 12.5% for Riserva; 13.0% for Superiore We are working on this Campidano di Terralba / Terralba 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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Cagliari DOC
Cagliari DOC: White Grapes are Malvasia, Moscato, Vermentinoand Red Grape is Monica. The minimum alcohol level is 10.5% for Vermentino; 12.0% for Spumante and Superiore; 13.0% for Monica; 14.0% for Malvasia and Moscato We are working on this Cagliari 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 And Taste La Dolce Vita by Tony Margiotta Additionally, you can discover the other wines from sardinia.
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Arborea DOC
Arborea DOC: Red Grape SangioveseWine Composition: white wine is Trebbiano (Wh, WhSw, WhFr, WhFrSw): Minimum 85% Trebbiano (Romagnolo or Toscano) + OANWG Rosato wine is Sangiovese (Ro): Minimum 85% Sangiovese + OANRG Red wine is Sangiovese (Rd): Minimum 85% Sangiovese + OANRG. Minimum alcohol levels are: 10.5% for Trebbiano; 11.0% for Sangiovese We are working on this Arborea 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…
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Alghero DOC
Alghero DOC: White Grape are Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Torbato, Vermentino and Red Grape are Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cagnulari, Merlot, Sangiovese. Alcohol levels: 10.0% for Bianco; 10.5% for Bianco frizzante, Vermentino, and Rosato; 11.0% for Rosso, most varietals (except Vermentino and Cabernet), and Novello; 11.5% for Cabernet and Spumante; 12.0% for Rosso Riserva; 12.5% for varietal riservas; 13.5% for Passito (16.0% potential); 17.5% for Liquoroso (21.0% potential) We are working on this Alghero 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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Villamagna DOC
Villamagna DOC: Red Grape is MontepulcianoRosso (Rd): Minimum 95% Montepulciano + OANRG and Riserva (Rosso), Alcohol level: 13.0% for Rosso; 13.5% for Riserva We are working on this Villamagna 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 And Taste La Dolce Vita by Tony Margiotta Additionally, you can discover the other wines from abruzzo.
