Understanding Italian Wine: A Guide to the Most Planted Grape Varietals 

Italy is home to some of the world’s most delicious and breathtaking food, wines and landscapes. With over 20 different wine regions ranging from Lombardy and Valle d’Aosta in the north of the country to Puglia and Calabria in the south, it is no wonder that this renowned wine-producing country has plenty of grape varietals on offer – just under 400 native varietals are used to make wine commercially and there are nearly 2000 different varietals planted.

To truly understand how special wines from Italy are, one should first take note of some of the main grape varietals that continue to make this country one of the most popular wine-producing areas to this very day. 

In this Italian wine guide, we will provide a history and tasting profile for a number of Italian grapes that any wine enthusiast might have as part of their wine collection.   

5 Italian Wine Types That You Need to Know

While you may have already tried a selection of these Italian grapes before, understanding their origins and the minute details that make these grape varietals so popular is part of truly enjoying these wines.

Below, we have listed five of the top Italian wine grapes that we recommend all of our customers wrap their heads around. Not only will adding them to your repertoire ensure that you experience a truly diverse selection of the wines that this beautiful country has to offer, but it will allow you to deepen your appreciation for Italian culture. 

Glera

Glera, a white grape, is most often referred as to Prosecco. A very popular wine that originates mostly from the valley floors around Treviso and the hillside areas around Conegliano and Valdobbiadene, all in the Veneto region It is believed to be one of the oldest wine types in Italy and its origins can be traced back as early as Roman times.

Most of the Prosecco produced up until the 1960s was of a sweeter style, a bit like Asti Spumante. But since then, production methods were elevated resulting in a better quality product and a drier style more appealing to today’s consumer. While Prosecco is often thought of as an aperitif in many countries, in Italy this wine is enjoyed as part of any occasion. 

This Italian wine grape has high acidity and offers an aromatic profile consisting of citrus notes such as grapefruit, lime and lemon, and more floral notes such as lily, elderflower and daisy. The Fattoria Conca d’Oro Prosecco Millesimato Conegliano Extra Dry 2019 is the perfect example of this grape varietal. 

Trebbiano 

Trebbiano gives its name to an umbrella of different native Italian grape varieties and is responsible for the vast majority of DOC  white wine production. With six variations in total, the most commonly produced by far is a Tuscan wine varietal known as Trebbiano Toscano, also known as Ugni Blanc in France. Used in the production of both balsamic vinegar and grappa,  the refreshing white wines it produces are celebrated in Italy and around the world. 

This white wine grape is often used in blends due to its lack of poetic inspiration, according to many wine experts. Offering characteristically dry notes of lemon, stone fruit and green apple along with its neutral quality means that this grape is extremely adaptable. For example, in the production of Frascati, it is often mixed with Malvasia and other native varietals. One great example is the Casale Marchese Frascati Superiore 2019 from Small Winemakers Collection.

Sangiovese

Sangiovese is the quintessential Italian red wine variety responsible for the famous wines of Tuscany. Whether it is used as the main component in the different Chianti zones and  Brunello di Montalcino or as part of a blend in Super Tuscans such as Montepeloso or Biondi Santi, this grape has star quality characteristics. 

Grown all over Italy, Sangiovese is by far the most widely planted grape in the country. With its origin allegedly dating back to Roman winemaking, this grape offers varying tasting notes depending on its influences. Traditionally, this red Italian wine offered herbal notes and a bitter cherry taste. However, the Bordeaux influenced style is characteristically more fruity by displaying notes of plum, mulberry fruit and vanilla oak. 

The Armilla Brunello di Montalcino 2015 is a particular favourite of ours at the Small Winemakers Collection. With an expressive nose, the notes of cherry, dates and licorice pair perfectly with a strong, bold cheese from Tuscany.  

Nebbiolo

Predominantly planted in the Piemonte region, this black grape varietal is mainly found in the production of Italian DOC and DOCG wines such as Barolo, Barbaresco and Ghemme.  Nebbiolo is known for producing light coloured red wines that are rich in tannins and acidity. 

While it is thought that Nebbiolo is indigenous to Piemonte, some wine experts believe that it in fact originated in Lombardy. It wasn’t until the 18th century that this grape varietal began to be recognized internationally; this happened when the British came to Italy in search of an alternative wine source to Bordeaux. Since then, it has become widely praised. 

Despite its wide acclaim, only 6% of vineyards in Piemonte plant this grape variety today.  Nebbiolo is renowned for offering appealing aromas such as roses, dried fruit and leather along with flavours of cherries, raspberries, wild herbs and truffles. 

Try Fenocchio Barolo 2016, a stellar example from radical traditionalist Claudio Fenocchio.

Corvina 

Grown in the Veneto region, Corvina is typically used in the production of regional Italian wines such as Valpolicella and Bardolino. Widely planted in the northeast of the country, Corvina wines are noted for their characteristic sour cherry flavour and their high level of acidity when used in blended wines. 

While its popularity has fluctuated over the last century, it is hard to ignore the fact that this grape is an important varietal in Italy and the main component in Valpolicella, Ripasso and Amarone. Its late ripening produces high yields while its ability to blend with other grapes means that it is a staple grape of Italy. Corvina wines typically are low in tannins and medium-bodied. Its taste profile includes tart cherry, bitter green almond, cinnamon and peppercorn. 

The Luigi Righetti Campo Tordi Corvina 2019 is produced with 100% Corvina grapes and offers a fruit-driven expression. While the Luigi Righetti Recioto della Valpolicella Classico 2018 offers well-rounded tannins and a flavour profile consisting of licorice, spices and cherries. 

Wines from Italy: Offering a Truly Exquisite Tasting Experience

Italian wines are a favourite among many wine and food experts. Their expression combined with their food pairing ability makes it easy for them to become a staple in many individual’s homes. Here at Small Winemakers, we believe that wines from Italy are among some of the best-produced wines in the world. These wines are handcrafted with love, passion, and care which truly shows in the end result. 

If you’re looking to add Italian wines to your wine collection but aren’t sure where to start, feel free to reach out to one of our experts. We can guide you through the selection that we have and provide advice on which grape varietal would best suit your dining needs.