Italy Wine Regions

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Wine Regions

There's hardly anywhere in Italy that's not a wine region. Piedmont and Tuscany stand out for the sheer number of their official appellations (DOCG and DOC), while the fastest growing wine region is Sicily. Oenotourism is also constantly on the rise, and gourmet visitors will find countless “Strade … more del vino” (wine routes, or trails) to follow. Wine tourism is supervised by the Movimento Turismo del Vino (www.movimentoturismovino.it) and Città del Vino (www.cittadelvino.it/en/node) national associations. They join forces to organize countrywide events like Cantine Aperte (Open Cellars, last Sunday of May) and Calici di Stelle (Wine Glasses Under the Stars, August 10).

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Home to some of Italy's most celebrated appellations including Barbera, Barolo, and Barbaresco as well as sweet wines like Dolcetto d'Alba, the misty Langhe hills are where the Nebbiolo grapes thrive (“nebbia” meaning fog or mist in Italian). The area has also a reputation for excellent white truffles. Start at the visitor information center, which includes a museum and a wine shop featuring the best wines from the region’s estates.

Enoteca Regionale del Barolo; Castello Falletti, 1 Piazza Falletti; Barolo; Barolo, Piedmont; 011-39-017-356-277; www.baroloworld.it

Just over an hour's drive inland from Venice, the well groomed Prosecco DOC vineyards occupy the gentle slopes between Conegliano and Valdobbiadene in the Veneto hills. Available in three different types – still, lightly bubbly, and sparkling – Prosecco is especially popular as an aperitif or festive wine. Winery open for visits: Santo Stefano di Valdobbiadene (www.bisol.it/default_eng.asp).

Tourist Information; Conegliano-Valdobbiadene Hills and Prosecco Wine Route - Villa dei Cedri, 89 Via Piva; Valdobbiadene; Valdobbiadene, Veneto; 011-39-0423-972-372; www.coneglianovaldobbiadene.it

Little known overseas because it’s best drunk within the year, Lambrusco is an unusual, lightly bubbly red produced in the provinces of Modena, Reggio Emilia, and – further north in Lombardy – Mantua. You may not be familiar with the wine, but any gourmet will know the Modenese Balsamic Vinegar (Aceto balsamico), obtained from the local Trebbiano (white) and Lambrusco (red) grapes. Winery open for visits: Vini Casolari (www.vinicasolari.it).

Tourist Information; 41 Via Schedoni (Modenese Lambrusco Consortium); Modena; Modena, Emilia Romagna; 011-39-059-235-005; www.lambrusco.net/english/home.htm

The Chianti Classico area covers most of four municipalities in the province of Florence (to the north), plus five in the province of Siena (to the south), representing only a fraction of the whole geographic Chianti region. Here you'll find the quintessential Tuscan countryside, with manicured vineyards and neat olive groves interspersed with picturesque farmhouses and historic villas and castles. Winery open for visits: Castello di Verrazzano. (www.verrazzano.com/en/index.php).

Tourist Information; 155 Via Scopeti - Sant'Andrea in Percussina (Chianti Classico Consortium); San Casciano in Val di Pesa, Tuscany; 011-39-055-82-285; www.chianticlassico.com

The hilltop town of Montalcino, just off the ancient Cassia road on the way south to Rome from Siena, is synonymous with Brunello, one of Italy's most celebrated DOCG reds. Sample different labels at the well-stocked Enoteca inside the historic Fortezza, or visit one of the many estates. Special Wine Trains also run on weekends between Siena and Montalcino (www.winestation.it). Winery open for visits: Castello Banfi (www.castellobanfi.com).

Tourist Information; 1 Costa del Municipio (Brunello di Montalcino Consortium); Montalcino; Montalcino, Tuscany; 011-39-05-77-848-246; www.consorziobrunellodimontalcino.it

Just south of Rome, the volcanic soil of the Castelli Romani hills yield a variety of pleasant DOC white wines including Frascati, Marino, and Colli Albani. The area is also a regional park and very popular destination for days out from Rome, with charming country landscapes, historic towns and villas, and a lively festival. Winery open for visits: Tenuta di Pietra Porzia (www.tenutadipietraporzia.it).

5 Via Cesare Battisti (Castelli Romani Regional Park); Rocca di Papa; Rocca di Papa, Lazio; 011-39-06-947-9931; www.stradadeivinideicastelliromani.com

Originating in Spain, the Vermentino grapes reached Sardinia at the end of the 19th century by way of Corsica. They thrive in the rocky and sandy soil of the Galluria area in northeastern Sardinia, where the dry white Vermentino wines have achieved DOCG status for their outstanding quality and characteristic bouquet. We recommend starting your journey at Cantina Gallura.

Cantina Gallura; 9 Via Val di Cossu; Tempio Pausania; Tempio Pausania, Sardinia; 011-39-079-631-241; www.cantinagallura.com (Italian only)

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