5 Tips for Navigating Italian Wine

5 Tips for Navigating Italian Wine

Posted by Eleanor Field on 9 Oct 2020

Notoriously difficult to get your head around when it comes to grapes but one of the most rewarding wine countries of the world when you do, Italy is home to 20 wine producing regions and 400 varieties of grape, more than any other country in the world.
Rather than get lost in the theory (and there is a lot of theory) perhaps the key to understanding Italian wine is to see it as a group of regions, rather than one single country, and explore the grapes from each. Covid-19 may mean we can’t travel the way we used to, yet – but with a delicious array of Italian wines to choose from that doesn’t mean we can’t still sip our way through a country!


1. Red, white or sparkling?


Italian wine production offers huge diversity to pick from when it comes to this, and the right pairing will depend on whether you are matching it with food and the dishes you choose. The traditional assumption – that red wines should be paired with hearty red meats or pork and that white wine must predominantly be paired with seafood or cream-based dishes – should be thrown aside here. Think of it this way: a fuller bodied white could make an equally satisfying pairing as a lighter red wine and vice versa.


In the autumn and winter months, as well as festive bubbles, we tend to crave richer, more warming wines. However, this doesn’t mean sticking to red wines, with rich whites such as this Falanghina IGT Campania from Antonio Caggiano or Pinot Grigio DOC Friuli from Brandolini making wonderful choices for chillier weather.


2. The most expensive bottle is not always the best


Okay – so of course a £60 bottle of Barolo is probably going to taste better than the one you pick up in your local supermarket for £10, and when it comes to the bigger names in Italian wine – Barolo, Barbaresco, Chianti – the renowned producers, and consequently price, definitely factor hugely. 


Lesser known Italian grape varieties, however, such as Barbera and Dolcetto, both from Barolo’s home of Piedmont, can offer fantastic value. 


3. Classifications


Wine production in Italy began around 4000 years ago but it was in the 1960s that Italy began designing its official wine classifications, using a theory based largely on the French appellation system. 


DOC (Denominazione di Origine Controllata) and DOCG (Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita) both denote wines with a designation of origin, but DOCG is the highest classification, with an additional “garantita” or guarantee by the Italian government that the wine is of supreme quality. IGT was introduced in 1992, to give more freedom to Italian wines-makers, as it allowed them to produce wines from grape varieties that were not sanctioned under DOC/G laws.


4. It’s in the detail

Glassware and temperature are particularly important when it comes to Italian wine. 


Think of it as the bolder the wine (and this applies to both red and white wines) then the bigger the glass. So for the richer styles – such as a Langhe Nebbiolo DOC San Giacomo from Ascheri or Gavi di Gavi DOCG, Vigneto Ciapon from Bergaglio – opt for a wide, round, glass, while for the lighter options – like this Valpolicella Classico DOC from Accordini or Allemanda Moscato Bianco Secco from Planeta – a narrower, taller glass makes a great choice. It’s also important to note that some white wines should be sipped warmer while many reds can be chilled, and this is definitely worth researching as it can dramatically change the aromas and taste of a wine.


5. Tasting is key


When it comes to learning about Italian wine, reading is a great place to start but nothing beats tasting. If you are in possession of a vacuum wine preserver; can invest in a Coravin; or simply have a group of fellow enthusiasts eager to join the quest for a Bacchus-worthy wealth of knowledge on this incredible wine country, then opening 2 or 3 bottles at a sitting gives you the opportunity to compare grapes, style and the effect of production methods and age. 


So, without further ado, you can explore our fantastic range of Italian wines here


Saluti!