| PIEDMONT |
| Piedmont, Italy’s westernmost region with borders on Switzerland and France, is hemmed in by the Alps and the Apennines, which explain why its name means foot of the mountain. Though it ranks only seventh among the regions in total production, Piedmont is considered a giant of Italian wine in every other way… [read more] |
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| LIGURIA |
| Most of Liguria’s limited commercial wine production is concentrated along the Ponente coast to the southwest. The first wine to be classified was Rossese di Dolceacqua, whose soft fruit and full flavor make it an uncommonly attractive red. The extensive Riviera Ligure di Ponente DOC zone covers the other classic wines of the area: the white Pigato and Vermentino and the red Ormeasco (a local Dolcetto) and Rossese…. [read more] |
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| TRENTINO ALTO-ADIGE |
| In Trentino-Alto Adige, production of the numerous varietal wines is centered in two large DOC zones: Trentino in the south and Alto Adige or Südtirol, the province’s blanket appellation. The Alto Adige DOC takes in wines from distinct zones noted for class: Colli di Bolzano/Bozner Leiten, Meranese di Collina/Meraner, Santa Maddalena/St Magdalener, Terlano/Terlan, Valle d’Isarco/Eisacktal, and Val Venosta/Vinschgau. Although experts agree that the Alpine climate favors grapes for perfumed white wines, the historical emphasis has been on reds, which account for nearly two-thirds of the region’s production,… [read more] |
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| VENETO |
| Veneto is located in the northeast of Italy between the Garda Lake and the Adriatic sea. The Po, Italy’s longest river, forms it southern border with Emilia Romagna while the Alps constitute its northern limit. To the east the region stretches as far as Friuli Venezia Giulia…[read more] |
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| EMILIA-ROMAGNA |
| In Emilia the predominant wine is Lambrusco, produced in countless frothy variations from purple to pink, produced from the eponymous variety grown on high trellised vines in the flatland area between Modena and Reggio-Emilia, south of the Po river. Romagna’s wines come primarily from the native Sangiovese, Trebbiano and Albana varieties…[read more] |
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| MARCHES |
| Marche is located in central Italy, on the eastern side of the Apennines. It has a long coastline facing onto the Adriatic sea which borders to the north with Emilia Romagna and to the south with Abruzzo. The major vineyard areas are situated inland, in zones sheltered by the mountains. The climate is temperate-Mediterranean, obviously influenced by the Adriatic sea. The top native grape varieties are Verdicchio for white wines and Sangiovese and Montepulciano for reds. Minor varieties noted for their quality include Lacrima and Vernaccia di Serrapetrona….[read more] |
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| UMBRIA |
| Celebrated for its artistic treasures and quiet, green countryside, Umbria is sandwiched between Tuscany, the Marches and Latium, with no access to the seaside…[read more] |
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| TUSCANY |
| Tuscany occupies the western flank of central Italy, south of Liguria and Emilia Romagna and north of Lazio. Umbria delimits its eastern border while to the west Tuscany faces onto the Tyrrhenian sea with a 400 kilometres long coastline. The climate is mild along the coast and colder in the hilly mainland, with significant temperature variations year-wide. This wonderful region is predominantly hilly or mountainous…[read more] |
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| ABRUZZO |
| Despite the outward simplicity of Abruzzi’s DOC system, certain details of Abruzzi’s production are worth pointing out. The native Montepulciano (not to be confused with the town of that name in Tuscany where Vino Nobile is made) is a vine of convincing character that has been winning admirers abroad. In parts of the Abruzzi, notably in the low hills of the northern province of Teramo (where it can be referred to as Colline Teramane), Montepulciano becomes a red of irresistible character, full-bodied, even robust…[read more] |
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| CAMPANIA |
| In Campania’s vineyards things truly are changing; where a new spirit of achievement and sense of pride has been bolstered by the introduction of thoroughly modern winemaking techniques. Evidence of the new era is the rapid increase in production of DOC wines, including the first DOCG of the south in Taurasi. The volume of DOC wine produced has multiplied in recent years. But modernization has by no means swept away respect for tradition. In Campania, a majority of producers strives to make the most of native vines, including an honor roll of so-called “archaeological varieties” which do indeed date back to antiquity…[read more] |
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| APULIA |
| Apulia, the heel of the Italian boot, is a long, mostly flat region with a prolific production of wine. In the past, the region often surpassed Sicily and Veneto in output, though Apulia’s former title of “Europe’s wine cellar” no longer carries much weight. As traditional markets for strong blending wines have diminished, Apulia’s producers have increasingly put the accent on premium quality….[read more] |
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| CALABRIA |
| Calabria, which forms the toe of the Italian boot, is a predominately mountainous region with marked variations in microclimates between the sunny coastal hills along the Ionian and Tyrrhenian seas and the chilly heights of the Sila and Aspromonte massifs. Two grape varieties of Greek origin dominate, Gaglioppo in red wines, Greco in whites, though the types of wine they make can vary markedly from one place to another. Calabria’s best-known wine is Ciro’, which grows in low hills along the Ionian coast between the ancient Greek cities of Sybaris and Kroton (Sibari and Crotone today). Local legend has it that Ciro’ descended directly from Krimisa,… [read more] |
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| SICILY |
| Sicily, Italy’s most southerly region, needs little introduction. Conditions for agriculture, and viticulture in particular, are nearly perfect. The island has a climate with Mediterranean temperatures and record breaking hours of sunshine. The soils types vary from limestone and chalky to sandy-clayey and volcanic – all of which offer excellent habitats for winegrowing. Sicily is the southern Italian region which has invested most in recent years in up-grading its wine production, with the technical support of some of the country’s leading agronomists and consultant winemakers. Sicily, the largest island in the Mediterranean, has more vineyard land than any other Italian region. Yet, with the emphasis shifting from quantity to quality, wine production has diminished recently to slightly less than that of Veneto….[read more] |
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| BASILICATA |
| VIGNIALI (Aglianico della Basilicata) – more info coming soon |
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| CALIFORNIA |
| FIELD STONE (info coming soon) |
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