Italian Regions & Wines
Italy was the “top” producer of wines in the world in 2019. It is named the World’s Best Country for Wine. It has a very long history of wine making, going back to over 3000 years.
There are 20 regions in Italy, and within each region there are variety of vines and wines. There are vast number of different grapes and vineyards all over Italy.
Some families can trace their winemaking craft, for over 2000 years. Due to Italy’s diverse climate and variation in topography and soil, that combination helps to cultivate amazing number of grapes, and produces the largest quantity of wines in the world.
The following information is not meant for “wine experts or sommeliers”. It is a quick overview of each region in Italy and “some” of their top wines.
1) Abruzzo
It is known as "The greenest region in Italy". Almost half of its territory is national parks and “protected” nature reserves.
This ensures the survival of 75% of Europe's living species. It has miles of beautiful beaches along the Adriatic Sea. It is a mountainous region with very long history in winemaking.
It is the 5th region in wine production in Italy. The region produces large volume of “red” wines.
The most famous red wine of the region is Montepulciano d’Abruzzo, well known around the world. They also produce excellent white wines.
The wine Trebbiano d’Abruzzo is considered one of the “finest” white wine.
2) Aosta Valley
High Mountains covers this Alpine region. Many ski resorts and winter get-away.
It has the “highest” elevated vineyards in all of Europe. However, it is Italy's smallest winemaking region.
There are several white wines, but they mainly produce red wines. The most well known red wine is Pinot Nero and Petit Rouge varieties.
A top white wine to try is Moscato Bianco.
3) Apulia
This southern region’s coast is longer than any other region in Italy except (Sicily).
Its beaches and vineyards are drenched in the year long Sun. It is mainly flat, with some hills and mountains in the north-west part of the region.
Apulia has grown in popularity for good wines in the past two decades.
The warm sunny climate helps produce fruity wines like Primitivo (rose wine) and robust red wine Negroamaro, considered the best red wines of Apulia.
One of the region’s best known white wines is Bombino Bianco.
4) Basilicata
Is the “most” mountainous region in southern Italy. Almost 50% of its area covered by rocky and bare mountains.
The climate is continental in the mountains with cold wet winters, and mild Mediterranean weather along the coasts.
The win production in the region is very low, compared to surrounding regions of Apulia and Campania. Basilicata’s most reputable red wine is Aglianico del Vulture.
The two well known white wines are Greco Bianco and Malvasia Bianca.
5) Calabria
The region is known as the “toe of the boot of Italy”. It has a long and narrow peninsula and miles of sunny beautiful beaches.
Located on the coast of southwestern Italy, Calabria is separated from Sicily by the “Strait of Messina”. In ancient Greek the region was called the "Land of Wine".
Some vineyards have origins dating back 3000 years. The region has pleasant Mediterranean climate, which makes it ideal for vineyards.
Calabria produces mostly red wines. The most famous red wine is Ciro Rosso Gaglioppo. It also produces small amount of white wines.
Two well known and respected white wines for the region are Greco Bianco and Montonico Bianco.
6) Campania
It is the most productive region in southern Italy (ranked the 7th in productivity).
It is considered one of the most beautiful regions in Italy. It includes the Amalfi Coast and the romantic island of Capri.
Also it has some of the cleanest beaches in Italy. Wine production has increased as well as the quality of the wines.
Campania produces very respectable red wines. The most well known wine of the region is Aglianico.
Also, excellent dry white wine Greco di Tufo.
7) Emilia-Romagna
It is one of the wealthiest and most developed regions. It has the 3rd highest GDP per capita in Italy.
It is also a cultural, economic and tourist center. This is the region were the dream cars are produced “Ferrari, Lamborghini, Maserati”.
Also, when it comes to wine, it produces some of the finest wines in the world.
The famous sparking red wine Lambrusco, is from this region. Also, a fine red wine Sangiovese. One of the best white wine is Albana.
8) Friuli-Venezia Giulia
It is a small region with a long name. It is located in northeast of Italy.
It is the only region were “three” different languages are commonly used (Italian, German, and Slovenian) It is a very mountainous-alpine region.
It is a well known tourist destinations during the winter season. Also the region has wide range of beautiful hills, which helps produce some of the best white wines in the world.
The top white wines are Pinot Grigio and Sauvignon Blanc.
The red wines are not that famous, but they are considered very fine wines, such as Merlot and Refosco.
9) Lazio
Situated in the central part of Italy. It has the second largest economy in the country. The capital of Italy (Rome) is located in Lazio.
The region is mainly flat, with cluster of mountain ranges on the eastern part, and miles of beaches on the western side. The climate is Mediterranean, with hot humid summers and cold wet winters.
The wine production is limited in comparison to its northern region (Tuscany) and southern region (Campania).
The region mainly produces white wines, and small quantities of red wines. The well known dry white wines are Frascati and Malvasia Bianca.
Lazio’s top red wines are Cesanese and Merlot.
10) Liguria
The region is very long and narrow. The west border is with France and east border with Tuscany.
It has a beautiful landscape that includes high mountains, hills, and over 200 miles of beaches. The Italian Riviera (one of the most exclusive in Europe) is located in Liguria.
The climate is mild all year, except in high mountains. The region mainly produces white wines.
Some of the best white wines are Bosco and Vermentino.
The well known red wines are Rossese and Dolcetto.
11) Lombardy
It is one of the largest regions in Italy. The region is considered the financial and industrial backbone of Italy.
It is the richest and most productive region. Its northern border is shared with Switzerland.
The region is composed of Alpine mountains in the north, and hills, valleys, and several beautiful lakes toward the center and the south.
The climate is hot humid in the summer and cold damp in the winter. The region produces large volume of sparkling wines.
One of the top sparkling wine is Franciacorta. The well known red wines are Pinot nero and Barbera.
Their popular white wines are Riesling and Pinot grigio.
12) Marche
The region is located in the central-east area of Italy with long shoreline facing Adriatic Sea.
Inland to the west, the region is very mountains, but gets hilly and flat as you approach the Sea to the east.
It has over 100 miles of shoreline and very beautiful beaches and summer resorts. The region produces large quantities of white wines.
The best white wines are Bianchello and Verdicchio. One of the finest red wines is Rosso Conero Riserva.
Also, the region's well know Sparking wine is Vernaccia.
13) Molise
It is the youngest and second smallest region in Italy, with population about 300,000.
The region has small sandy coastline about 20 miles, along the Adriatic Sea.
It is a very mountainous region and turns into hills and flat land approaching the Sea. The region's economy mainly depends on agricultural products, including olive oil and wine.
The finest red wine of the region is Tintilia del Molise.
The best know white wine is Rami - Falanghina del Molise.
14) Piedmont
The region is located in the northwest of Italy.
It has a mixed climate. The lower part is more Mediterranean and the upper part more freezing and influenced by high range of mountains.
It produces variety of (red & white) wines. The well known red wines are “Barbera & Nebbiolo”.
Also, Piedmont produces the very famous Sparking white wine, the “Asti Spumante”.
15) Sardinia
It is the second-largest island in the Mediterranean Sea, after Sicily. It has most beautiful clean beaches in the world.
Some of the most exclusive beach resorts are in Sardinia. The climate is Mediterranean, but impacted by surrounding Sea currents.
There are heavy rains in winter and that can causes some floods. The region produces several wines. But the largest production and consumption is beer.
Sardinia has the highest consumption per capita of beer in Italy. When it comes to wines, one of the most famous red wines is Cannonau di Sardegna.
A well know white wine is Vermentino di Sardinia.
16) Sicily
It is the largest island in the Mediterranean Sea. It has over 900 miles of beaches. The region is mainly hilly and flat.
But, there are high mountains inland. Due to its fertile land and mild climate all year, it produces high quantity of agricultural goods and wines.
Sicily is the 3rd largest wine producer in Italy. The region is known for (sweet) Marsala wines.
Also, there are very fine red wines, such as Nero d’Avola and Etna Rosso.
Some of the popular white wines are Catarratto and Grillo.
17) Tuscany
It is considered the birthplace of the Italian Renaissance. Well known for its artistic and scientific history, and high culture.
The landscape is covered with beautiful hills and dotted with charming towns. It has a very long shoreline along the Tyrrhenian Sea, which includes the famous island of Elba (where Napoleon was exiled).
The region has the highest tourist traffic in Italy. Tuscany has some of the most cultural cities in the world, such as (Florence, Siena, Lucca, and Pisa).
The climate is fairly mild in the coastal areas, and cold and rainy in the interiors, with fluctuations in temperature between winter and summer.
Tuscany is famous for wine production. The region’s wines are exported all over the world. The most well known internationally, is the red wine Chianti.
Also it is well known for its high quality red wines, such as Nobile di Montepulciano and Brunello di Montalcino.
There are top rated white wines; one of the finest is Vernaccia di San Gimignano.
18) Trentino-Alto Adige
The region is composed of two diverse provinces; Trentino in the south, and Alto Adige in the north.
The north province shares its border with Austria and Switzerland, and the south province shares its border with Lombardy and Vento regions.
The northern part of the region is dominated by Alpine mountains. It has several top rated ski resorts and health Spas, popular with tourists seeking wellness.
The southern part of the region is mainly composed of hills and flat land, with beautiful lakes and summer resorts.
Due to its unique landscape and fertile soil, the region is one of the top produces of white wines.
The popular and well rated white wines are Pinot Grigio and Pinot Bianco.
The top rated red wines are Pinot Nero and Schiava.
19) Umbria
The region is labeled as “The green heart of Italy”. Most parts of the region is covered with green hills, rivers and flat land.
There are some very high mountainous to the east of the region. Umbria has some of the most beautiful and most visited towns in Italy, such as (Assisi, Orvieto, Spoleto, Todi, Perugia, and Città di Castello).
Economically it is well industrialized with many corporations in heavy industry, agriculture products and wines.
The region produces fine white wines such as Grechetto and Trebbiano.
Some of the well known red wines are Torgiano Rosso and Montefalco Rosso.
20) Veneto
It is the 8th largest region in Italy. Its capital “Venice” is considered one of the most romantic cities in the world.
The region has beautiful coast lines, rivers, canals and lakes. Almost 30% of the region is mountains in the north and northwest, and 60% are hills, valleys, and flat land approaching the Adriatic Sea.
The climate it mild on the hills and along the coast, but it is cold, with heavy rain and snow on the mountains.
Veneto is one of Italy's most important wine regions. Known for its fine sparkling wine Prosecco di Conegliano, and great dry white wine Soave.
Some of the top rated red wines are Amarone, Bardolino and Valpolicella.
Cheers!
