A taste of Italian wines
It is a well-known fact that wine culture is extremely important in Italy, and the quality of both wine and food is something Italians are very proud of. As the largest wine producer in Europe, Italy’s wine industry is steeped in history and quality standards continue to improve.
The best way to truly understand the craftsmanship of Italian wine is to visit a winery or vineyard.
What are the best wineries in Italy and which are the most picturesque wine regions? Here are the best wineries and wine regions in Italy, from Piedmont to Latium.
The best wineries and vineyards to visit in Italy
From Piedmont to Tuscany, vineyards colonise the landscape and the palates of all those who visit them.
The end of the summer season is synonymous with the grape harvest, so there is no better time than autumn to travel and discover good wines. An experience paired up with the beauty and tranquillity of the Italian countryside.
1. Piedmont – from Turin to Asti.
The oenologist’s route to visit the best Italian farms and vineyards through the transalpine country starts in Piedmont, specifically in Turin. From the Piemontese capital we can travel in just thirty minutes to Asti, a territory made up of stunning hills and vineyards. The perfect time to visit this area is during the celebration of the feast of St. Martin, as many wineries and farms have open days, events and tastings.
2. From Asti to Novi Ligure.
Novi Ligure is home to several wineries, producing wines such as Gavi Doc and Monferrato Doc. The most popular of the wineries may be “Tenuta La Marchesa”, where you can taste the aforementioned wines. Another great peculiarity of this enclave is that it is possible to make a nocturnal visit, with the idea of savouring of living a different experience.
Moreover, this Italian area is famous for its gastronomy. If you visit “Tenuta La Marchesa” you will have the opportunity to taste and enjoy these dishes made from the freshest vegetables and fruit from the transalpine orchard.
3. From Novi Ligure to Verona.
Verona is a must for fans of good wines; here you can find many varieties such as Amarone, Valpolicella, Bardolino, Ripasso, Recioto or Soave. This region is one of the biggest producers of Italian wines.
Verona and surroundings follow strict eco norms and produce its wines respecting the nature. A clear example of this is the organic farm San Mattia, which produces organic wine and delicious local products for the perfect pairing.
4. From Verona to Conegliano.
We continue our wine tour of Italy, this time travelling from Verona to Conegliano. Conegliano is situated in the heart of the prosecco valleys, where on the gentle slopes of the hills, thousands of rows of grapes ripen in the sun. Enjoy the magic of the Conegliano countryside; a land where you can enjoy the local hospitality by taking part in the activities offered by the “agriturismi”
One of the best wines to be tasted in this area is Prosecco and Spumante (Italian sparkling wine). Carpené Malvolti wine cellar is an crucial destination in this area thanks to its specialisation in Prosecco.
5. From Conegliano to Florence.
The Tuscany region is one of the most popular in Italy for its charm and its rich landscape and heritage. It is also well-known for its numerous wineries where Chianti, Carmignano, Pomino or Vin Santo wines abound.
Florence is one of the most important cities in Europe; a cradle of culture and a great wine producer. In the hills surrounding the city there are numerous wineries that open their doors to visitors. The most popular winery in the area is the Antinori; a must!
6. From Florence to Grosseto.
These two Tuscan cities are linked by the grape harvest and by their gorgeous landscape. No one can doubt Maremma’s potential in the wine sector, as it has three officially recognised wine routes, which makes it very easy to find good wineries. Our recommendation is the Val delle Rose wine cellar in Grosseto, and a glimpse of the beautiful scenery from the hills overlooking the sea.
7. From Grosseto to Castello di Nipozzano
We head now to Tuscany, to the impressive “Castello di Nipozzano” or “Castello Nipozzano”. This marvellous structure is over 1,000 years old and is a must-see for wine and history lovers. Nipozzano is home to a working farm with over 600 hectares of land, including olive trees for local olive oil production as well as acres of perfectly maintained vineyards.
To make the most of it, a guided tour and wine tasting will include a trip to the enormous cellars where the wine is aged as well as a trip to the ancient kitchen for an expert tasting of local flavours. Advance booking is required to take part in the tours and enjoy lunch on site; while the winery does not have a restaurant, you can request that your visit includes a meal made with the best local produce.
8. Casale del Giglio – Latium
Are you visiting Rome and want to take a quick de-tour to taste the most famous wines in Latium and not only?
Casale del Giglio founded by Dino Santarelli in 1967 then is a must visit and it’s only 50 minutes driving from Rome.
The founder was fascinated by the Agro Pontino valley and chose Le Ferriere a village close to the ancient city of Satricum to bring to life this beautiful winery.
They offer guided tours with wine and local food tastings which need to be booked at least one week in advance. Would you like to know more? Contact me at raffaella@languagesalive.com I can certainly help you out and organise it for you.
If you are looking for an authentic Italian experience please check our page
https://www.languagesalive.com/learn-italian-in-italy/ We offer alternative ways to be involved in the Italian language and culture which you’ll love. No need to sit down in a classroom! From learning Italian while having breakfast to learning Italian while wine tasting or cooking with a professional Chef , we know how to turn a vacation into a memorable experience.
Now it’s time to explore the Italian wine categories
In recent years it has been necessary to bring some “order to protect and enhance the quality and tradition of Italian wine production.
Table Wines:
Table wines are Italian wines produced from fresh grapes, without the need for the producer to use particular production methods. It is not compulsory to specify the vineyard used or the year of production on their labels. They are generally wines for everyday use. This does not mean that they are of poor quality, in fact, there are many that are of great prestige.
In supermarkets you can find them packaged in squared cardboards. In most restaurants you can find them under the name “Vino de la Casa” and they are sold in half-litre or one-litre bottles. Table wines are usually cheaper than “normal” bottled wine. Depending on the type of restaurant, house wine can be good or bad.
1) I.T.G. Wines
I.T.G. stands for “TYPICAL GEOGRAPHICAL INDICATION”; these are wines produced with grapes from a specific region or province (established by law) and that sometimes must comply with a certain production process. Sometimes the vineyards and the year of production appear on their label. It is a guarantee of quality and taste.
2) D.O.C. Wines
D.O.C. stands for “DENOMINATION OF CONTROLLED ORIGIN” These are wines produced in geographical areas with a renowned wine-making denomination. They follow a very precise production process approved by a ministerial decree. The vineyards used for the production of D.O.C. wine must be authorised for wine cultivation and production. The grape cultivation also needs to follow accurate stages and the winemaking is carried out using very rigorous methods.
Furthermore, during the production stage of the D.O.C. wine, numerous physicochemical analyses and an organic examination are carried out to certify the compliance with legal requirements.
Why so many checks?
Well, to guarantee a wine of excellent quality and authentic to the region that produces it, according to the millenary tradition that this place has in the production of wine.
3) D.O.C.G. Wines
D.O.C.G. stands for “DENOMINATION OF CONTROLLED AND GUARANTEED ORIGIN”. Like the D.O.C. wines, these wines are produced in geographical areas famous for their winemaking tradition. A wine that has been D.O.C. for at least 5 years and that is considered prestigious for the quality of its grapes, its production and its history, can acquire the D.O.C.G. denomination.
Moreover, the D.O.C.G. wines must gain a certain reputation at national and international level.
As for the D.O.C. wine, for the production of this wine, numerous physical-chemical and organic controls are carried out, but also a sensory analysis is made: a tasting carried out by a commission of oenologists authorised by the ministry of agriculture.
Complicated, isn’t it, but essential to ensure that the quality and tradition of Italian winemaking is not lost!
I advise you to taste wines from all three categories
Do you want to know which my favourites are? Table wines, but not the ones you can find in any supermarket, but the ones produced “in family houses” in the south of Italy. They are really tasty!
