With such amazing vineyards, it is no wonder that Italy is one of the top producers of wine in the world. Italian wine is extremely popular and is served at dinner tables and in bars all around the world. Here is an overview of the eleven major varieties of Italian red wine.
Vino Nobile di Montepulciano
This wine is often described as being similar to Chianti with a red cherry flavor. It is made in Montepulciano in the Tuscany region using Sangiovese grapes. Vino Nobile di Montepulciano is a dry and medium-bodied red wine.
Valpolicella
Made in the Valpolicella area of the Veneto region of Italy, Valpolicella is made predominantly from Corvina grapes. The dominant flavor and aroma of this Italian wine are cherries. It is described as a dry and medium-bodied wine that is only slightly tannic.
Salice Salentino
This is a favorite amongst people who prefer a full-bodied red wine as it has intense flavors and dense texture. The plummy flavor of this wine works well with rich food. Salice Salentino is produced in the Puglia region using Negroamaro grapes.
Montepulciano d’Abruzzo
This is a wine that can vary greatly but generally has fruity flavors. While the best examples have a dense texture and concentrated flavor, the lighter versions are easy to drink and smooth. Montepulciano d’Abruzzo is a medium-bodied red wine that is made in the Abruzzo region of Italy using Montepulciano grapes.
Lambrusco
Usually made in the Emilia-Romagna region using Lambrusco grapes, there are many different variations of this wine, including dry, sparkling and fizzy. It is usually sweet with a strong flavor of grapes.
Chianti
With a flavor of sour cherries, this is a moderately tannic, medium-bodied and dry wine. Chianti is made using Sangiovese grapes in the Chianti area of Tuscany.
Brunello di Montalcino
Brunello di Montalcino is produced in the Montalcino zone of Tuscany and is made using Sangiovese grapes. Words that best describe this particular wine are intense, full-bodied, tannic, dry and concentrated.
Barolo
Produced in the Barolo area of Piedmont, this wine is made using Nebbiolo grapes. The flavors and aromas of this wine are quite complex and include earth, herbs, strawberries, and tar. Depending on the producer, Barolo is usually at its best maturity between 10 and 20 years.
Barbera
Barbera is produced mostly in the Piedmont region. It is a varietal wine that can be light, dry or medium-bodied. This is quite an acidic wine that has an intense flavor of berries and very little tannin. One of the advantages of choosing this wine is that it is extremely versatile and works well with many different types of food.
Barbaresco
Made from the Nebbiolo grapes close to the Barolo area of Piedmont, this wine is very similar to Barolo wine. However, its lighter flavor makes it slightly more palatable and easy to drink. The best age to drink Barbaresco wine is between 8 and 15 years.
Amarone
Amarone is a wine that is best served with cheese or rich savory foods. This is a full-bodied, dry and firm wine that is made from partially dried Corvina grapes. Amarone is produced in the Veneto region.
These are the major varieties of wine that are produced in Italy and most are widely available across the globe. If you are lucky enough to take a trip to Italy, it is worth visiting some of the vineyards and sampling some of these delicious Italian red wines.
Sources
- Main Image: Wineglass Red Wine [Pixabay]
