Italian wines are rightfully considered the most popular and prestigious in the world. They are among the five most sought after, because many of the best winemakers are located in Italy. This country is the largest producer of wine. And its consumption is about 80 liters per person per year, which is the highest rate in the world.
Local climatic conditions are extremely favorable for growing grapes, this applies to the whole of sunny Italy: from the northern part of the Alps to the southern regions. The most famous wine regions are Tuscany, Veneto, Liguria, Aosta, Lombardy and Piedmont.
Italian wines, whose names often coincide with the grape variety, are of two types: red Rosso (Rosso) and white Bianco (Bianco). You can choose a drink that is ideal for any situation. Also, these wines go well with all cuisines of the world.
Dry red wines: the mood is provided
If you are preparing a romantic date or a warm family dinner, then by choosing any of these drinks, you will win. Dry Italian red wines are suitable for any table and every event, even the most sophisticated connoisseur will find his bouquet. Below are the names of the spirits and the dishes with which they are ideally combined.
Aglianico (Aglianico) - has a pomegranate color and pronounced taste, highly aromatized. It goes well with pizza or fried lamb.
Amarone (Amarone) - Italian red wine, stands out for its rich taste and color, but it is not too sour. Served with noodles, cheese or beef.
Barbera (Barbera) - a saturated pink color. It has an average density. It is usually served with pizza, roast beef or lasagna.
Valpolicella (Valpolicella) - Italian red sparkling wine . It has a pronounced and very rich flavor. Perfect with meat dishes: pork chop, poultry or beef.
Gaglioppo (Gaglioppo) - a wine of saturated color, which has a small concentration of alcohol. Served with beef, pasta and pizza. It goes well with seafood.
Dolcetto (Dolcetto) - Italian wine aged on berries and herbs. It goes well with first courses and lasagna. It is also served in the enchilada - corn tortillas.
Lagrein (Lagrein) - dry burgundy wine with a rich taste. Due to the high level of acidity, it is ideal for meat and fish dishes.
Lambrusco (Lambrusco) - dry red wine, has a pronounced berry taste and gives a strong sourness. Its peculiarity is that, depending on the year of manufacture, the taste varies from sweet to very sweet. Such wine options blend perfectly with the taste of fish dishes, and sweeter ones are well suited to fruit slices.
Malvasia Nera (Malvasia Nera) - has a special taste and a very dark shade (almost burgundy). It has the aroma of plum and chocolate, goes well with fried pork.
Montepulciano (Montepulciano) - Italian red wine with a sweet aftertaste, moderate acidity, but a fairly high level of alcohol content. Very good for climbing, sausages, cheese, pizza.
Nebbiolo (Nebbiolo) - a strong Italian wine with a pronounced aroma of mushrooms, roses and truffles. The word nebbiolo translates as "fog"; wine got this name due to the fact that the grape variety (with the same name) used for its preparation ripens in the fall, when the whole region is wrapped in dense fog. The drink is combined with dishes containing tomato sauce, for example, spaghetti, meat, vegetables.
Negroamaro (Negroamaro) - there is such a pink or maroon wine, has a unique subtlest aroma and is ideal for making cocktails. It goes well with lamb leg and pasta.
Sagrantino (Sagrantino) - is both dessert and dry. It is served with cheese, meat dishes.
Sangiovese (Sangiovese) - the best Italian wine, infused with berries of blackcurrant, blackberry, as well as plums. It goes well with pasta, pizza and dishes with tomato sauce.
Dry white wines create the necessary atmosphere
You will never lose out with the choice of this drink: it will become the main highlight of your table. Italian dry white wines create an intimate atmosphere, and also suitable for a buffet table or any holiday
Arneis (Arneis) - translated from Italian means "prankster, wretch." The wine is found with fruit filling and tastes like peach, apricot and almond. Suitable for appetizers of Italian cuisine.
Verdicchio (Verdicchio) - Italian white wine with almond flavor. It has a honey-sweet aroma and a greenish yellow tint. The name "verde" from Italian translates as "green". It goes very well in combination with fish or seafood dishes and vegetable snacks.
Verduzzo (Verduzzo) - is dry and dessert. Dessert is different in that it has a sweeter taste and a pronounced honey and floral aroma. It harmonizes well with appetizers, meat dishes, as well as seafood salads.
Vermentino (Vermentino) - a sparkling wine with a sweet taste that goes well with seafood.
Vernation (Vernaccia) - Italian wine with a citrus aroma. It is combined with almost all types of fish dishes.
Grechetto (Grechetto) - the variety has the taste of tropical fruits and a bright floral aroma. Perfectly in harmony with pasta, white meat, fish and vegetables.
Catarratto (Catarratto) - Sicilian fruit wine that perfectly complements baked seafood or salad.
Malvasia Bianca (Malvasia Bianca) - has a rich fruity aroma and honey-pear taste. It goes well with fish dishes, fried poultry and vegetable salads.
Moscato is the most famous white sparkling wine. This grape variety is used in the preparation of Asti Spumante champagne, known to the consumer simply as āAstiā. Moscato and Asti go well with desserts, cakes, pastries and fruits.
Nuragus (Nuragus) - Italian white wine with a pungent flavor and rich aroma. Served with seafood and snacks.
Pigato (Pigato) - a very aromatic wine that goes well with seafood.
Picolit (Picolit) - a wonderful dessert wine with a delicate fruity aroma. Served with appetizers and goes well with brie cheese or blue cheese.
Pinot Grigio is a popular drink with a delicate and aromatic odor. Perfectly complement pasta dishes, seafood and cheese.
Ribolla Gialla - a unique wine with a floral aroma. It goes well with fried fish, seafood, corn and cream sauce.
Soave (Soave) - world famous white wine, ideal for cheese, cottage cheese, vegetable snacks.
Tokay Friulano (Tocai Friulano) - dry white wine with a taste of citrus, peach and pear. Due to this, it is characterized by a fragrant aroma. Complement appetizers and fish dishes.
Trebbiano is a neutral white table wine. It is served with almost any main course. It goes well with veal, seafood and grilled white meat.
Fiano is a wine with a rich nutty aroma. Comes well with seafood and pasta dishes.
Italian wine is a sign of good taste. As you can see for yourself, the taste range and aromas of this drink are very, very diverse. The choice is incredibly large, so anyone, even the most capricious gourmet, will find his best Italian wine. Berry, fruit, nut bouquets create a unique atmosphere. And one more important nuance: the aroma of wine does not clog the taste of the main dishes, but rather, gives them a special touch and transfers Italy directly to your table.
Chianti - the most famous Italian wine
Fine dry red wine from the Tuscany region has the highest standard - DOCG, and it is produced almost all over the world. Italian wine "Chianti" (Chianti) is known far beyond the borders of Italy itself. Various grape varieties are used to blend Chianti, the most popular of them are Sangiovese, Kanayolo, Colorino, Mammolo, Malvasia Nera. There are others: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah. Whites include: trebbiano, malvasia bianca.
Italian wine is very popular all over the world, and Chianti rightfully takes an honorable first place among all. The aroma of wild cherries, wild berries and violets create a unique and special bouquet, and the sour and tart taste will not leave indifferent true connoisseurs of this divine drink. Chianti wines are produced in accordance with the most stringent standards and are therefore valued above the rest.
Main Chianti Categories
This type of wine is the most common in the world, so many winemakers are trying to repeat the technology of its preparation. But, since there are many factors that affect the quality of a given liquor, there are several classifications of Chianti wines:
- Normale It is informal in nature, therefore, as a rule, it is not intended for long-term storage and should be drunk within two years from the date of sale.
- Riserva Such wine is made only in good years, the best vineyards are used for production. It is aged longer in barrels and bottles, and it has a higher alcohol content.
Categories of Italian wines formed and fixed in the last 35 years. There are four of them, each has its own characteristics. Their main difference is in the quality and price of the alcoholic beverage.
Category Denominazione d'Origine Controllata (DOC)
It includes very high-quality and expensive Italian wines, whose names sound like āBarbera D'Asti Speroneā, āDolcetto D'Asti Speroneā, āSoave Sartoriā, āAmarone Sartoriā, āOrvieto Vendemmia Meliniā, āPinot Grigioā Conti d'Arco ā,ā Cabernet Sauvignon Conti d'Arco ā,ā Martsemino Conti d'Arco ā. To date, about 250 brands of wines belong to this category.
Obtaining this qualification is very difficult, because the application for its marking is considered at the local chamber of commerce, the National Committee of Names, then sent to the local authorities and the Italian Ministry of Agriculture. In the case of positive answers, the president issues an additional decree to the DOC law.
Thanks to such a complex procedure, winemakers adhere to the strictest quality standards in the manufacture of their products, but the price of such goods is also appropriate.
Denominazione d'Origine Controllata e Garanta (DOCG)
This category is even higher than the previous DOC. It contains only 13 species. On the shelves of stores such wines are recognized thanks to the red mark with the name and number.
The names are: āChianti DOCG Picciniā, āChianti Classico DOCG Picciniā, āNobile di Montepulciano Picciniā, āBarbaresco DOCG Speroneā, āBarolo DOCG Speroneā, āChianti Meliniā, āChianti Classico Meliniā, āChianti Classico Meliniā Melini ā,ā Chianti Classico Vendemia Melini ā. Such wines are served in the best restaurants in the world and also decorate the tables of royal families. Fragrant bouquets of drinks of this category are a sign not only of luxury, but also of perfect taste.
Vini da tavola
This category is the lowest among all four. It includes ordinary or, as they are also called, table wines. The manufacture of such alcoholic beverages is not regulated by laws or authorities. Producers change grape varieties every season, which, of course, affects the main characteristics. But even so, this category includes very good and expensive wines.
Indicazione Geografica Tipica (IGT)
The newest category, which was formed relatively recently. Translated from Italian as āTypical Geographic Featureā. It controls only local wine production. With its help, such standards are defined as color, varietal composition, origin, year of harvest. And the grapes must be indicated on the labels and the place of its production.
However, in fact, most often these standards are not checked, and the authenticity of the data is based solely on the reputation of winemakers. The new category is higher than the ordinary Vini Da Tavola wines, and therefore among it you can find very decent drinks.
Sparkling wines from fabulous Italy
These drinks are created for the most important events in your life: they are unique in taste, their aroma is fascinating, and you will remember the color and type of such alcohol for a long time. Sparkling wines of Italy are at the peak of popularity anywhere in the world. And all because they have special production technologies and long-term exposure.
The leader in sales for many years in a row are sparkling wines called Lombardy, Veneto and Trentino.
Sparkling wines of Italy are usually indicated by the inscription Spumante on the label (which means āfoamyā in Italian) or Frizzante (sparkling, but less frothy than spumante). Such drinks are very expensive and of the highest quality, for example, Asti and Franciacorta belong to the DOCG category.
Sparkling wines from Italy, which are often mistakenly called champagne, are world famous. Every gourmet and lover of the beautiful is obliged to pamper himself with such an expensive gift at least once in his life.
Italy produces the largest amount of wine. No nation supplies the world market with such an amount of this type of alcohol: more than 500 brands of elite varieties and even more local wines. It only means that Italians know a lot about this sunny drink, making it original, aromatic and unique in taste.
Reviews
Italian wines are beloved by millions of people around the world. Numerous positive reviews once again prove that this alcohol is rightfully considered the best. If you look through the pages of various information resources, magazines, forums, etc., where connoisseurs leave their comments, you can make sure that the sales leaders are Asti and Chianti, and consumers also choose Pinot Grigio or Bianco d'Alcamo "
However, there are wine lovers who find the taste of the best Chianti drink too sour and even bitter, so you should rely on your own preferences and, possibly, the opinions of reputable tasters when choosing an elite alcohol.