Buy Italian Red Wines

Red wines from Italy come from a wide range of geography in its wine-growing regions, so it is no surprise that the country produces a variety of red wines to satisfy a broad range of palates.

Piedmont, a cool mountainous region (much like its namesake in the American Carolinas), makes wines noted for simplicity and crispness. The bright sunlight hills of Tuscany are dotting with richly colored architecture that appeal to the eye just as Tuscan wine appeals to the mouth: full-bodied and strong.

More than half the wine produced in Italy is red, but with all the varieties, a connoisseur can find exactly the right wine for any almost any occasion.

Amarone
This wine originates from the Veneto region near Venice via the “recioto” technique. This method requires the vintner to pick the “ears,” or “wide hanging” fruit on the outside of the bunch. These grapes get the most sunlight and develop more fully, which shows up in the wine as full-bodied taste that might lead one to believe the grapes came from a warmer region. After picking, the grapes are air-dried for three to four months into raisins with a stronger concentration of flavor. Up to one third of the grape’s mass is lost to evaporation. This drives up the alcohol content into the 15 to 16 percent range. Made mostly from Corvina grapes, Amarones age for at least for five years before being bottled. In some cases, oak barrels are used as the aging vessel. Amarone translates to “big, bitter one”, which is apt; the wine complex, lush, and has almost Port-like texture and powerful concentration that gives off hint of mocha. Hearty meats such as roast beef, pork, and strong cheeses pair will with Amarone.

Barolo
Some regard Barolo as the greatest of red wines. The wine strides forward boldly with a bawdy mix of powerful flavors – vanilla, chocolate, strawberry and tobacco that only improve with age. “The king of wines” to some, a Barolo is tannic in its youth and requires at least three years of aging. This softening tenure is required by Italian law. Barolo is best served with decanting. The wine originates from the Piedmont Langhe Hills region, and is comprised entirely of Nebbiolo variety grapes. Nebbiolo is a challenging grape to grow. Best results come from areas with clay, sand, and limestone, ideally on a sunny, south-facing hillside. Barolo goes well with meats, pastas, risottos, and cream-based dishes.

Chianti
Chianti once served as the opening act for wine bottles with long careers as candle holders in Italian restaurants. Those wines were often cheap and low quality. That was then; a good Chianti deserves its place in a well-stocked wine cellar. These Tuscan wines originate from the region around Florence as a government-controlled grade of product. All wine labeled Chianti must originate from the Chianti region. Chianti is produced primarily from Sangiovese grapes, with a splash of Cabernet Franc, Merlot, or Cabernet Sauvignon. Chianti more subtle a Cabernet Sauvignon and brings more elegance than a Zinfandels or Syrahs. Chainti is high in acid and carries notes of plum and wild cherry. Chianti and tomato-based sauces are a classic union, but Chianti also complements steak and other grilled meats.

Barbaresco
Barbaresco is similar to Barolo. Another wine that comes from Nebbiolo grapes, Barbaresco is softer and carries a touch more grace. Barbaresco volume is about half of the annual Barolo yield. Barbaresco can be consumed sooner than Barolos. Red meat and the rich cuisine of Piedmont pair well with it.

Bardolino
Bardolino is a light, fruity wine from the Veneto region. Named after the town of Bardolino on Lake Garda, it has faint cherry flavors and spice. Bardolino’s primary source is Corvina grapes. A dry, rose, sparkling wine called “chiaretto” is a secondary variety. Bardolino works best cold, and works well with seafood.

Brunello di Montalcino
Brunello di Montalcino “The nice dark one” comes from Montalcino, another Tuscan region. Brunello di Montalcino is made exclusively from Sangiovese grapes. Tuscany’s most expensive, rare, and longest-lived must be aged longer than any other wine – at least four years. Brunello carries hints of blackberry, black cherry, chocolate, and vanilla. This treat goes best with hearty dishes. Vino nobile di Montepulciano Another Sangiovese grape, Vino Nobile di Montepulciano (Tuscany) is aged about two years (three in “riserva” version), using wood barrels. It is a full bodied wine, that goes well with many foods.

2004 Argiano Brunello di Montalcino Sangiovese Grosso

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ITALIAN WINES
‘Italian wines’ are believed to be the world’s most popular and oldest wines. Vineyards in the country started as early as Second century B.C, with the Etruscans and the Greek settlers were believed to be first to plant them. Nowadays wine making in Italy is done in modern wineries.

TYPES OF ITALIAN WINES
Generally Italian wines can be divided into two categories:
• Rosso (Red)
• Bianco (White)

TYPES OF RED WINE
The Italian red wines can be further sub divided into following categories:

SANGIOVESE
Sangiovese is derived from the Latin Sanguis Jovis or ‘the blood of love’. Sangiovese is the principal grape that is grown in the Tuscany region. These wines mainly composite cherry fruit, earth and cedar. Some of the wines produced using Sangiovese are Chianti Classico, Rosso di Montalcino, Brunello di Montalcino, Rosso di Montepulciano etc.,

MONTEPULCIANO
This variety is mainly grown in the coastal areas of Abruzzo. These wines generally develop silky-plum like fruit with light tannin and friendly acidity. But these varieties are not grown in the town of Montepulciano.

CORVINA
This variety is mainly responsible for the production of famous wines like Valpolicella and Amarone. It has dark cherry fruit and spice aromas. These varieties may even take more than 40 years of age.

DOLCETTO
It grows along with Barbera and Nebbiolo. It means ‘The little sweet one’ and makes wines that are brightly colored and has aromas of plums and blackberries. It is suitable for everyday drinking.

NEBBIOLO
The name means ‘Little fog’ in English. Another idea is that the name comes from the Italian word ‘nobile’ which means noble. It is one of the more difficult wine varieties to master. The wines are known for their elegance and bouquet of wild mushroom, truffle, roses, and tar.

BARBERA
It is the third most-planted grape variety of Italy. The wine has bright cherry fruit aromas and is very dark in color with a food-friendly acidity.

NERO d’AVOLA
This variety is mostly unavailable in the international wine markets. This kind of wine is robust and is an inky wine and hence named as ‘the Barolo of the South’. This grape produces wines that have sweet-tannins along with flavors of pepper and plum.

NEGROAMARO
The name means ‘Black and Bitter’ in English. These types of varieties mainly consist of spicy, toasty, and full of dark red fruits and tend to be very rustic.

MALVASIA NERA
This variety is mainly from Piedmont. It is a Sweet and perfumed wine elaborated in the passito style.

AGLIANICO
It is mainly grown in Campania and Basilicata. They are generally thick skinned and spicy wines which are both rustic and powerful.

SAGRANTINO
These types of wines are very much limited. They are planted only in 250 hectares. Inky purple, with rustic brooding fruit and heavy tannins, these wines can age for many years.

SUPER TUSCANS
This term includes all of the Tuscan red wines that do not adhere to the Italian blending laws. They are generally prepared by mixing two or more varieties. The first ever Super Tuscan is called a Vigorello. They do not conform to the strict DOC(G) classifications.

These are the main types of red wine. Most of the red wines are not distributed to the world markets because locals consume the wines. So Wine tourism is conducted especially for wine lovers to taste all the varieties of red wine.

Bottles of deep-red wine waiting for labels

Italy has many major varieties of red wine

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WINE TOURISM

Wine tourism refers to the movement of the people to the Wineries, vineyards and restaurants near the wine source for the consumption or tasting of the wine. Many wine regions around the world conduct wine tourism to attract the people. Some of the most important wine tour locations are Hunter Valley in Australia and Chateau de Malle located at Bordeaux, France.

WINE TRAVEL IN ITALY
Every region in Italy, right from the Veneto to Sardinia produces wine. Most of the Italian wines are consumed locally and are not easily found in the Overseas market.

There are many vacation farms found in Italy, known as “Agriturismi” which means ’staying’ in Italian. It is generally a farm house which provides staying facilities along with the information about the products grown.

Following are the main wine tourism places in Italy.

TUSCANY
Tuscany is mainly famous for its super Tuscan wines. A drive along the 14 “strade del vino” or the wine trails shows the different type of wine. Bike tours in this area are very much popular.

CAMPANIA
It is first here in the southern Italy that the wine cultivation started. Wines produced in this region is not popular in the overseas because most the Wine produced is consumed by the local people.

TURIN
It is very hard to believe that world’s best Red wine comes from one of the busiest region in Italy. Langhe district near the town of Alba is the core of the red wine. Renting a Vespa scooter from the district is enough to taste the best red wine in the world. Wine tourism is the best way to explore the red wines of Italy. Following reasons can be stated to justify it:

Most of the varieties of the red wines are not known to the visitors

Most of the wines are consumed by local people.

Only a few varieties of wines are available in the overseas market.

The wine tour is really a feast for wine lovers. For a change of the vacation spot, wine lovers can really take this tour to explore the best red wines from around the world.